By our reporter| The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Tuesday ordered a beef up of security in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in order to fortify the nation’s capital against terrorists.
The IGP gave the directive as the army confirmed it recorded three casualties when its troops from the guards brigade’s 7 battalion ran into an ambush by terrorists in Abuja on Sunday.
In a move to assuage the fears of residents, the IGP in a statement by Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, charged the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) to collaborate with residents in order to ward off adversaries.
He added that the force is leaving no stone unturned in ensuring that the criminals are brought to their knees.
”We are not leaving any stone unturned to fortify the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.
”The IGP has ordered for additional deployment of assets to Strategic areas of the FCT while the Force Intelligence Bureau has been charged on robust Intelligence gathering and information sharing amongst other agencies.
”All residents of the FCT are urged to synergise and be on the same page with the Police and other security agencies in making sure that we forestall any ugly incidences in and around the FCT,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Army has confirmed that three soldiers were killed when its troops from the guards brigade’s 7 battalion ran into an ambush by gunmen on Sunday.
The battalion is a unit under the guards brigade, which is responsible for protecting the president.
The soldiers were said to be on routine patrol along the Kubwa-Bwari road when they ran into the ambush.
Godfrey Abakpa, spokesperson of the brigade, who confirmed the casualties, however, said no soldier was abducted by the gunmen.
“No soldier was abducted; we only had three casualties and they were evacuated,” he said.
He also said the troops had dislodged “the criminals” from the area and had continued an exploitation operation within the vicinity of the attack.
Meanwhile, Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi, has commiserated with the families of the deceased.
In a statement by Onogwu Muhammed, his press secretary, the governor, who expressed sadness over the incident, said two of the officers were indigenes of Kogi.
“Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, has expressed grief over the death of Army officers killed during an ambush on the Presidential Brigade Guard on Sunday by suspected terrorists after the Army responded to a distress call from the Nigeria Law School, Bwari,” the statement reads.
“Governor Bello in a press release signed on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Muhammed Onogwu, said that it was more saddening to find out that two out of the fallen gallant officers, namely, Captain Samuel Attah and Lieutenant Ibrahim Suleiman were illustrious sons of Kogi State.
“Governor Bello condemned the terrorists’ ambush, describing it as a dastardly act and a show of cowardice while urging authorities to expedite actions and ensure the capture of those responsible and also forestall any future occurrence.
“He added that the incessant but cowardly uncoordinated attacks by terrorists must receive keen attention and brutal response from respective security agencies, asserting that the Nigerian internal sovereignty must not be at the mercy of criminal elements.
“The governor commiserated with the families of the deceased, particularly the father of Lt. Suleiman, Col Suleiman Ahmodu Babanawa (Rtd) from Okpo, Olamaboro Local Government, and Captain Samuel Attah from Ibaji Local Government Area of the State.
“He also extended his commiseration to the Nigeria Army over the death of some of their finest officers.
“Governor Bello prayed for God to grant the souls of the deceased officers’ eternal rest and that every person hurt by their shocking and painful demise, should receive succour from their pains.”
Residents of Abuja have been living in fear since Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) invaded the Kuje prison on July 5, 2022, and freed over 800 inmates, including all the Boko Haram suspects in detention.
The ambush of troops attached to the Presidential Guards Brigade on Sunday by suspected insurgents heightened the worry of FCT residents.
There have also been several leaked memos of intelligence agencies on the plots to attack the nation’s capital.
However, the ambush of troops attached to the Presidential Guards Brigade heightened the worry of FCT residents.
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