*UK warns of increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja
*BA cancels flights to Abuja as Germany, Korea embassies cancel public events
*Abuja is safe, FCDA insists, distributes 60 operational vehicles to security agencies
The British consulate in Nigeria as well as embassies of the United Stated States of America (USA), and that of other European Union countries have upgraded the terror threat in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) with warning on is nationals to avoid busy areas in the Nigerian capital city
The warning is coming as the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA), has insisted tha5 Abuja is still save, even as the administration has called for caution and residents to be on alert
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, FCDO, on Thursday, warned British nationals against non-essential travels to the Federal Capital Territory.
This was even as the FCDO warned of an increased terrorist attack in the FCT, adding that the travel advice will be constantly reviewed as it reflects the situation.
The FCDO in its advisory, listed Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Kebbi, Plateau, Taraba, Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States, as places against all but essential travels.
The advisory read: “The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has updated its travel advice on 26 October to British nationals. The FCDO now advises against all but essential travel to the Federal Capital Territory, including the city of Abuja.
“The updated advice outlines that there is an increased threat of terrorist attack in Abuja. British nationals are advised to stay alert, avoid non-essential travel within the city and follow the local news and the advice of security authorities.
“The British High Commission remains open for essential services. The travel advice will constantly be reviewed to make sure it reflects the current situation in Abuja and Nigeria.
“FCDO travel advice exists to inform British nationals so they can make decisions about travelling abroad. Other states in Nigeria where we advise against all but essential travel include Bauchi, Kano, Jigawa, Niger, Sokoto, Kogi, Abia, Plateau, Taraba, within 20km of the border with Niger in Kebbi State and non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa and Rivers States.”
The warning came less than 24 hours after the United States and the United Kingdom and Canada warned of a possible terror attack in Abuja, with targets at government buildings, places of worship and schools, among others.
The US government in response to the alert, has authorised the departure of its non-essential employees and nationals and their families from Nigeria.
The US State Department announced this in its updated Nigeria travel advisory on Tuesday evening.
It was further gathered that the British Airways has cancelled flights to Abuja, while German and Korean embassies have cancelled major events in Abuja. But the
Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello has declared the territory safe in spite of security advisories issued to the contrary by some embassies in the nation’s capital.
Bello made the declaration on Thursday while distributing 60 operational vehicles to security agencies in the Territory which he said would help scale up measures aimed at curtailing threats posed by organized criminal gangs.Among the benefiting agencies were the Police, Armed Forces, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps NSCDC and other paramilitary organizations, as well as the Christian Association of Nigeria CAN and Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs NSCIA.
Speaking at a brief handover ceremony on Thursday, the FCT Minister said the intervention was to help improve the capacity of security agencies in the nation’s capital.According to him, state-of-the-art security equipment will be installed in the vehicles, which will be centrally controlled.
He said; “What we are doing today is to showcase the FCTA’s contribution to the Federal Government’s efforts.“Permit me to seize this opportunity to commend the efforts of our gallant men and women in uniform who are working
tirelessly to ensure that we all remain safe, with some of them paying the supreme price.
“lt is imperative that I mention here that through the efforts of our security agencies many potentially devastating
criminal acts have been prevented. In fact, I make bold to say that for every crime committed, several others were nipped in the bud.“Residents however also have roles to play in this collective fight against crime and criminality by promptly reporting to
the relevant security agencies any suspicious individual or situation. It is only by doing this, that the fight against crime can truly be won”.
“It is worthy to mention that apart from these operational vehicles, the Administration is equally providing other security related gadgets and equipment for the optimal performance of the security agencies.
“We currently confront crimes ranging from traffic offences to more heinous ones such as banditry, armed robbery and kidnapping. It is our expectations that these vehicles and other security equipment will be put to effective use.
“I wish to reiterate that the FCT remains safe and our confidence in the ability
of our security agencies to provide adequate security has not wavered. We pledge our continuous support to them in the discharge of their responsibilities”.
Bello expressed optimism that the would solely be used for the purpose for which they were procured, adding that each of the vehicles is backed by a three year maintenance contract.
“I therefore call on the beneficiaries of these vehicles to use them judiciously and also produce them for servicing according to a schedule to be worked out”.
