Terrorists planning to attack FCT transport service -Police

The Nigeria Police Force has said that credible intelligence at its disposal indicated that terrorists have perfected a plot to carry out attacks on the Abuja transport sector.

The Force stated that the attacks which are intended to cause panic amongst residents and visitors alike are planned to be perpetrated through suicide bombings, or through the use of Improvised Explosive Devices concealed in luggage, bags, cans, and other receptacles.

A statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, in Abuja on Saturday said the Police High Command had ordered the FCT Commissioner of Police in particular and other CPs in adjoining States to beef-up security at major parks around Abuja and its environs.

The Police also enjoined the general public, particularly those within and outside the Federal Capital Territory to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons, objects, movements or activities to the Security Forces without delay.

It urged the citizens not to panic, noting that Security Forces are working round the clock to neutralize and effectively deal with the threat.

As part of additional efforts at forestalling the attacks and strengthening security around the transport sector, the Police High Command called on the management of motor parks to ensure that travelers and workers’ safety comes first.

It charged them to constantly conduct regular and routine scanning of their environments while insisting on carrying out a thorough search on passengers and their bags as well as vehicles entering and leaving their parks.

It also advised that such searches must involve the active participation of the passengers and warned that any item or luggage unaccompanied by any passenger must be rejected outright and should not be allowed into the vehicle.

Passengers are also enjoined to be on the lookout for any passenger, who might come in with luggage but would attempt to disembark without such luggage.

It said, “While operators of motor parks are strongly advised to discourage overnight parking of vehicles at motor parks, particularly by unknown persons, the Police authorities further advised motor park workers to reduce congestion at the parks by disallowing the indiscriminate parking of private cars, tricycles and motorcycles at the precincts of motor parks.”

In addition, the Police High Command tasked the general public in other places outside the motor parks to also monitor their environments “as the terrorists may likely shift attention having known that their plots have been uncovered.”

Meanwhile, the Police can be reached on the following hot lines: FCT Police Control Room –07057337653, Force Intelligence Bureau Operations Room – 08139379245, 08075650624and National Emergency Line -112.