Security around President Goodluck Jonathan has heightened following the bomb explosion that rocked the United Nations Headquarters in Abuja on Friday. The explosion killed 18 people and maimed several others.
Fearing that the president might be thenext target of the bombers, security chiefs in the Nigeria Police Force, State Security Service, the army, the Directorate of Military Intelligence ordered that security be beefed up around Jonathan and the Presidential Villa, minutes after a suicidebomber drove a vehicleladen with explosives into the UN office.
A reliable security source said, “The BokoHaram sect has shownthat they can do and undo. The president has always had security around him but we have increased it. They won’t get him.”
Soon after the bomb exploded, armed soldiers were deployedin strategic locations inthe Federal Capital Territory and the entrance into the Aso Rock villa. Four black jeeps belonging to the SSS were stationed outside the villa.
SUNDAY PUNCH found out that while rescue operations were going on at the UN building, soldiers were positioned round important public buildings and institutions.
A combined team of armed soldiers and plain-clothes officers of the SSS were sighted taking positions when our correspondent visited the areas.
Heightened security measures were also noticed at the entrance to the National Assembly complex. Armed soldiers were seen complementing the members of the police anti-bomb squad.
Soldiers in full battle fatigue, assisted by riot policemen, were noticed around the headquarters of the Central Bank of Nigeria.
The Abuja International Conference Centre alsohad armed soldiers in front of the building.
The headquarters of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation,which had been under the security watch of private guards, had riotpolicemen and soldiers complementing on Friday night.
Two major hotels in the FCT, the TranscorpHilton and the Abuja Sheraton had soldiers strategically placed at their main gates.
No comments:
Post a Comment