FG reacts to terror alert by UK, US, says ‘degraded’ terrorists only limited to ‘soft targets’ just like in UK

Following terror alerts contained in the latest travel advisories issued to their nationals visiting Nigeria by some western countries including the United Kingdom and the United States, the Federal Government has assured of the safety of all Nigerian cities.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Sunday, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the security agencies have maintained steady vigilance despite the fact that there has been no terror attack in the FCT since the Buhari Administration took office.

“We know that the terrorists, who have been massively degraded and put on the run, have been looking for soft targets to attack. This is the nature of terrorism all over the world, as can be seen in recent attacks in the UK, France and Egypt, among others.

“That is why the Nigerian security agencies have continued to be on the alert, even if their efforts have been largely unobtrusive so as not to disrupt the daily activities of the citizenry,” he said, adding, “Such efforts are routinely stepped up during religious festivals.”

Mohammed also said the Federal Government would continue to protect the lives and properties of citizens and non-citizens alike, even as the military made sure terrorists lacked the capacity to carry out devastating attacks.

He said the Federal Government’s sensitization campaign on security, with the punchline “if you see something, say something”, would be stepped up on national radio and television, while advising citizens to be security-conscious and to report suspicious people and objects to the security agencies.

Read also: U.K govt warns citizens against visiting 20 Nigerian states this Yuletide

In its latest foreign travel advisory to British nationals, Britain had through its Foreign and Commonwealth Office, stated that it would raise the terrorism threat alert in Nigeria during the festive periods.

It revealed that 117,000 British citizens visit Nigeria each year.

“The risk of terrorist attack increases around religious festivals; so (the threat alert) will be elevated in the run-up to and throughout the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja) area during this period.

“You (British nationals) should avoid places where crowds gather, including religious gatherings and places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, restaurants, transport hubs and camps for displaced people,” the United Kingdom said in a statement posted on the FCO website.

Similarly, last week, the US government had warned its citizens not to travel to Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe till the end of the year.

The United States Embassy in Nigeria issued the warning titled, ‘Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Holiday Security Reminder’.

“The US Mission urges all US citizens to exercise caution in and around shopping centres, malls, markets, hotels, places of worship, restaurants, bars, and other places where crowds gather in and around the Federal Capital Territory, from now through the Christmas and New Year’s holiday season. Terrorist groups have threatened to conduct bombings and attacks in this area during this period.

“The US Mission remains concerned about potential attacks in the states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe.  Travellers are urged to avoid those states through the end of the year.

“Review your personal security plans, remain aware of your surroundings, including local events, and monitor local news stations for updates. Be vigilant and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security,” the US Embassy warned.

 

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