Soldiers, anti-bomb policemen take over roads in Abuja

Posted by admin Abuja (FCT), Armed Forces, Nigerian Police, State News Thursday, June 23rd, 2011

UNUSUAL presence of military and anti-bomb policemen was, on Thursday, noticed on major roads in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Motorists, as well as their vehicles, were thoroughly searched by the soldiers, in a manner that raised the apprehension of the residents of the area and workers.

Nigerian Tribune observed that the heavily armed soldiers took strategic positions at the Central Business District, Olusegun Obasanjo Way and Area 11 Garki as early as 7.00 a.m and ordered motorists to open the boots of their cars for inspection, though without anti-bomb detectors.

At Area 11, the soldiers mounted road blocks in front of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) headquarters and the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA) office.

Presence of policemen was also noticed in front of the Nigeria Defence College (NDC), formerly Nigerian War College, while top police officers took over the responsibility of traffic control.

The Permanent Secretary, FCT Ministry, Dr Biodun Olorunfemi, had ordered security agencies in the capital city to conduct a random stop and search of vehicles plying Abuja roads after inspecting the police headquarters attacked by bombers on June 16.

It was noticed that the soldiers did not spare motorists who drove in to refuel at some Nigerian National Petroleum (NNPC) mega stations, as their vehicles were screened before they were allowed to drive in to refuel.

There was unusual security alert also in the suburbs of the FCT on Thursday, following a threat by the Boko Haram to launch a fresh attack on the FCT anytime.

Findings revealed that armed security personnel from the police, Department of State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a host of others were stationed around strategic locations around the FCT, while all the roads leading to the city were blocked by armed personnel.

The security arrangements covered all the satellite towns of the FCT, including Zuba, Gwag-walada, Kubwa, Mpape, Nyanyan, Mararaba and a host of others.

Consequently, there was heavy traffic in most of the roads, while similar operation was extended to places of worships and markets.

At Wadata Plaza, Wuse, the national secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), security was beefed up, as additional policemen, SSS and Civil Defence corps personnel were drafted to the secretariat.

No reason was however given for the unusual presence of additional security at the PDP national secretariat.

A top security official who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune over the security reinforcements in the FCT said the action became necessary “so as not to be caught unawares this time round.”

-Vanguardwp_posts