Renewed Security Check Points Causing Traffic Logjam In Abuja

The threat made by Boko Haram leader, Shekau to attack Abuja has forced security agencies into overdrive as security was beefed up yesterday in and around the FCT, with stringent stop-and-search checkpoints set up across major routes in the city.

The threat, according to security sources, prompted the security agencies to raise the security alert to the highest level in the FCT to ward off any attack on Abuja. 

However, tightened security, investigations showed, grounded movements and caused horrific traffic jams over the weekend, especially for many residents who commuted along the Nyanya-Maraba-Masaka axis and the Airport Road.

The situation prevented many worshippers from attending Easter services yesterday, with many blaming the roadblocks on the security measures adopted by the security agencies, in reaction to the Boko Haram leader's threat. 

In response to enquiries, the Director of Defence Information (DDI), Major-General Chris Olukolade, said the measures were nothing new and had nothing to do with Shekau's threat.

Olukolade also pleaded with FCT residents to show understanding regarding the latest security arrangements, which many described as “crude and draconian”.

“This arrangement has been in place before the so-called threat and it is nothing new. However, it is for the good of the members of the public and we plead with them to bear and cooperate with us,” he said.

However, most residents who spoke with THISDAY, called for a change of tactics in the whole approach, and expressed frustration over the new measures, with some describing them as “dangerous and causing suffering”.

“This is simply not the best solution because you should not expect the terrorists to still be around or follow the same routes when they have their informants all over the places.

“They are simply punishing people for nothing and I bet you, they have not found anything. Where are their bomb detector equipment other than the road blocks?” asked one angry resident who could not make her way to the Easter Sunday service in the Abuja metropolis.

“The arrangement in itself constitutes a danger, because what if these men (God forbid) detonate a bomb in such a massive gridlock. It could be catastrophic.

“If we are experiencing this hardship during the weekend and holiday when most people have travelled, then can you imagine what the situation will be from Tuesday when work resumes,” Mrs Chidinma Orji, an Abuja resident, said.

Meanwhile, indications have emerged that the security agencies are not treating the Boko Haram threat with levity, as some arrests have been made of their suspected members.
A security source disclosed that some suspected terrorists were arrested when they were trying to survey some strategic locations in Abuja, and the security apparatus is on very high alert.

“The threat is real and this is what people should understand,” the security source said.

Also, the police spokesperson, Frank Mba, a Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), told THISDAY that the police and other security agencies were working together to fight the insurgency both in Abuja and other states of the federation.

Mba said with the new resolve of the security agencies nationwide, terrorists were in for a worse time.

“I’m sure you are aware of the security apparatus we have put in place to fight terrorism. The police are not doing it alone, we are working with other sister security agencies to ensure that the Boko Haram problem is fought to the last,” he added.

Asked if there were other security measures in place in Abuja to fish out Shekau and his men in the city, Mba said with the security apparatus put in place, it would be very difficult for terrorists to operate anywhere in the country again.

As part of efforts to ensure that people enjoy their Easter celebrations, the police have provided tight security at motor parks, airports, seaports, border points, recreation parks, major markets, shopping malls to deter attacks.

These special operations, according to Mba, also included extensive counter-terrorism sweeps, detailed overt and covert surveillance operations, intelligence-driven raids, arms mop-up exercise, and special stop-and-search exercise, amongst others.
He said: “In ensuring the successful execution of this special operation, the Inspector General of Police (IG) has ordered all zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police to ensure the effective deployment of men and resources throughout the period.