BOKO HARAM, PHCN THREATS FG places security on red alert

Posted by admin Boko Haram, Latest Politics Friday, August 17th, 2012

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alt IN a bid to forestall untoward incident during this weekend’s Eid-el-fitri celebrations marking the end of the Ramadan fast by Muslim faithful, the Federal Government has put all security agencies on red alert to contain any threat to the nation’s security before, during and after the festive period.

The move came on the heels of threat by employees of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) to throw the nation into total darkness, following their deadlocked talks with government, as well as fresh plans by members of the Boko Haram sect to unleash mayhem in the nation.

Nigerian Tribune authoritatively learnt in Abuja, on Thursday, that officials of the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE) had been placed on high security watch nationwide as a result of unfavourable security report at the disposal of the Federal Government that the union might carry out its threat in spite of ongoing negotiations.

It was learnt that, by Thursday, all the heads of the nation’s security outfits, especially the police, Department of the State Security Service (SSS), the military, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and others had concluded their operational orders for the special assignment and relayed same to their various formations nationwide for strict compliance.
The Nigerian Tribune learnt that following this development, there was a massive deployment of armed security personnel comprising soldiers, anti-riot, anti-terrorist and conventional policemen, SSS, civil defence corps, and the Navy, among others, to strategic locations nationwide, including PHCN installations, air and sea ports, borders and places of worship.
It was further gathered that all the praying grounds for the Muslim faithful were to be secured by security personnel, at least 24 hours to the sallah prayers, as part of security measures mapped out for the period, while no vehicle or motorcycle would be allowed, at least, 100 metres to any praying ground especially in the Boko Haram-targeted states and Abuja.
Our source, in addition, said that intelligence reports had also revealed that members of the dreaded Boko Haram had perfected plans to strike during the sallah celebrations and create panic in some parts of the country.
According to a top police officer, who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune, in confidence on the operation said: ”We are not leaving anything to chances at all, because of the present insecurity situation in the country. We all have to be on red alert not just for the Boko Haram menace, but the threat by staff of the PHCN is there; they want to put the nation in total darkness. That is not acceptable. We are battle ready for lawless and criminal-minded people anywhere they may be hiding in the country, we would smoke them out.”
The staff of the PHCN had in the recent weeks been at war with the government over the demand for the payment of 25 per cent of their salaries deducted over the years as contributions to their pension scheme which the Federal Govrnment said it was not aware.
The PHCN workers, through their union NUEE, claimed that the total deductions would be over N85 billion and vowed to collect the money by all means, threatening to put the nation in total darkness should government fail to agree to their demands.
Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, has directed all zonal AIGs and state command Commissioners of Police to take adequate measures to ensure the provision of 24-hour water-tight security across the country before, during and after the sallah celebrations.
Also, officers and men are to be deployed to ensure that the highways are effectively covered with motorised patrol teams and CPs are particularly mandated to personally ensure that all places of worship, government installations, recreation centres, resorts and other public places are adequately and effectively protected.
In his special message, to mark the Eid-el-Fitri celebrations, the IGP assured the general public, particularly worshippers, travellers and, indeed, all well-meaning Nigerians that the police, in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities, would continue to do everything within their capability to provide adequate security for everyone across the country.
In Kano, security has been beefed up ahead of the sallah celebrations.
Investigation indicated that a new set of security operatives, including mobile policemen and soldiers had been deployed, to replace the old members who had been deployed out of Kano having stayed for about six months, after the January 20, 2012 attack.
Commercial motorcycles were made to disembark and subjected to thorough search by the security operatives .
The traditional visit of the Emir of Kano, Dr Ado Bayero, to some notable places to greet the teeming Muslim Ummas, which also used to attract large turnout of people had been cancelled.
An official report from the emirate council indicated that the sallah activities, which also included Durbar and procession of notable traditional chiefs, who usually accompanied the Emir of Kano, have been suspended because of ill health of Dr. Bayero.
Meanwhile, police in Niger State have assured that they are ready to ensure protection of life and property of the citizens in the state throughout the Eid–el Fitri and Durbar celebrations by Muslim.
The police gave the assurance through the state Commissioner of Police, Mrs Desire Nsirim, in a press statement signed by her and made available to newsmen on Thursday in Minna.
The statement said that the command was fully prepared to provide robust surveillance of the nooks and crannies of the state, as well as covert surveillance of all places of worship, including other important public and private institutions during the sallah celebrations.