The Federal Capital Territory (FCT), at the weekend, witnessed
unusually tight security surveillance and lockdown with red beret
anti-terrorism policemen manning major districts of the city.
This was the case on Friday night with stern looking security officials engaged in stop and search around Maitama, Asokoro,Wuse and Garki areas of the city.A similar exercise was repeated on Saturday night with the stop and search operations now complemented with series of mobile patrols around the city.
Unlike in previous exercises, the operation was conducted with such seriousness that an officer even refused a tip from a jeep driving lady at Gana street in Maitama district. This reporter was stopped more than 10 times while driving from Maitama to Asokoro on Friday night.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the surveillance was due to a security report that hinted of security threats from unidentifiable sources. The report was said to have pointed at alleged smuggling of arms with the goal still unclear to security agencies.
Already, security agents have increased their presence on Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent since the arrest of the Lebanese owners of Amigo Plaza. A similar enhanced security presence is observablearound national stadium where the wonderland park operated by the Lebanese was located.
It was, however, not clear if the operation has anything to do with threatfrom Boko Haram.
Reacting to the development, the FCT commissioner of police, Mr Femi Ogunbayode, however, said there was no imminent threat of attack, adding that the FCT is safe and secure.
He explained that the operation was partof an elaborate measures to enhance safety of lives and property in the city, adding that the police command is not waiting for conflict before action.
Ogunbayode explained further that during daytime, the command deployed water cannons and armoured vehicles in strategic points within the city as a precautionary measure, adding that ‘’policing under the command of the current Inspector General of Police is becoming more strategic, proactive and tactical rather than reactive to attacks and conflicts.’’
This was the case on Friday night with stern looking security officials engaged in stop and search around Maitama, Asokoro,Wuse and Garki areas of the city.A similar exercise was repeated on Saturday night with the stop and search operations now complemented with series of mobile patrols around the city.
Unlike in previous exercises, the operation was conducted with such seriousness that an officer even refused a tip from a jeep driving lady at Gana street in Maitama district. This reporter was stopped more than 10 times while driving from Maitama to Asokoro on Friday night.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the surveillance was due to a security report that hinted of security threats from unidentifiable sources. The report was said to have pointed at alleged smuggling of arms with the goal still unclear to security agencies.
Already, security agents have increased their presence on Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent since the arrest of the Lebanese owners of Amigo Plaza. A similar enhanced security presence is observablearound national stadium where the wonderland park operated by the Lebanese was located.
It was, however, not clear if the operation has anything to do with threatfrom Boko Haram.
Reacting to the development, the FCT commissioner of police, Mr Femi Ogunbayode, however, said there was no imminent threat of attack, adding that the FCT is safe and secure.
He explained that the operation was partof an elaborate measures to enhance safety of lives and property in the city, adding that the police command is not waiting for conflict before action.
Ogunbayode explained further that during daytime, the command deployed water cannons and armoured vehicles in strategic points within the city as a precautionary measure, adding that ‘’policing under the command of the current Inspector General of Police is becoming more strategic, proactive and tactical rather than reactive to attacks and conflicts.’’
source: Nigeria Tribune
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