IGP Orders Massive Deployment Of Operatives, Assets Within FCT, Environs
In view of recent perceived security threats within the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and its environs, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Alkali Usman Baba, has ordered the massive deployment of additional police operatives and operational assets.
The Police Chief gave the order Monday, 1 August, 2022, during the Force Management Team’s meeting at his office, from where he received updates on the general security situation in the country.
TheFact Daily notes that recent events that have taken place in the FCT have shattered the myth that the nation’s capital is one of the safest – if not the safest – places in the country. Last month, in a daring move, Boko Haram terrorists attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre and released all their members. According to reports, the terrorists operated for close to two hours without fight back from the security services.
On Sunday night of 24 July, troops of the 7 Guards Brigade which provides security for the Presidential Villa and the FCT were attacked by gunmen suspected to be terrorists.They were ambushed while on patrol along the Kubwa-Bwari Road in the nation’s capital. Sadly, two officers and one soldier died as heroes battling the insurgents.
Also, the first batch of the 2022 Call to Bar ceremony of graduates of the Nigeria Law School, could not hold at the premises of the headquarters of the institution in Bwari, Abuja, as scheduled, following threats of attacks by terrorists.
Furthermore, following a security alert issued by the FCT Command of the National Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, the ministry of education ordered the immediate closure of the Federal Government College, Kwali, in the FCT over security threats.
Similarly, the FCT authority has issued a directive for all private schools in Abuja to be closed indefinitely. The directive was a response to the growing threat of attacks on the capital city. Also due to its proximity to Abuja, the Nasarawa government also ordered the immediate closure of primary and secondary schools in the state over “security threats”.
According to IGP Baba, the massive deployment of assets is aimed at solidifying the security and protection of lives and property of FCT residents, critical national assets and vulnerable facilities as well as road users plying routes in and around the capital city.
He has equally charged the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Department of Operations, DIG Bala Zama Senchi, to supervise and manage the deployment to ensure maximum security in the FCT as well as surrounding states with a high risk of attacks resonating from the threats being speculated on the news, “as the Force does not and will never handle any information with kid gloves”.
The IGP however cautioned members of the public, especially citizen-journalists, on the dangers of spreading false alarms, misinformation, and disinformation as they could be detrimental and counter-productive to national security.
While assuring Nigerians in general, and residents of the FCT in particular, of their safety and security, the IGP urged them to go about their lawful duties without fear of attacks.
He equally reiterated the firm determination of the Police leadership to continue to explore avenues to enhance the security architecture in the country, through intelligence gathering, operational deployments and application of cutting-edge technology to decimate the activities of criminal elements across the country.
