•••As DSS Arrest Unspecified Number of ISWAP Terrorists In FCT
Amidst escalating tension, fear and anxiety in Abuja, construction giants, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, has shut down its operations in the city.
The Julius Berger reaction follows the directive of the United State and the United Kingdom warning their citizens from traveling to Abuja and evacuating workers from the Nigerian capital in a series of terror alerts.
The firm’s Managing Director and Corporate Security Manager, Engr. Lars Bichter and Poul Nielsen respectively, warned its staff to avoid public premises during the weekend.
The statement specifically urged it staff to avoid public places such as Supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs from Friday to Monday, October 31, 2022.
“In response to the ongoing security concern within the FCT and Central Abuja, It is advised to avoid all public events within the FCT environment, including: Supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, bars, clubs and other areas where many meet.
” This advice is applicable from, 28.10.2022 in the evening until Monday, 31.10.2022 in the morning.
“It remains possible to move to other JBN work or residential locations throughout the weekend.
“Your safety is our primary concern.”
Earlier, the massive Jabi Lake Mall had taken a decision to shut down its operations in response to the gnawing repeated security alert by the US, UK and other Western nations.
Meanwhile, a crack team of operatives of the Department of State Services have arrested an unspecified number of suspected ISWAP terrorists in Abuja.
A source said that the DSS operatives leading a joint operation with other security agencies have made “a couple of arrests.”
The source said that the operatives picked up some of them around the Apo mechanic Village, Maitama, and other suburbs.
It was further stated that the security agencies have made deliberate deployment of its operatives to ensure that the plot to unleash terror on innocent citizens is nipped in the bud.
The source said that the terror alert was not new and not different from the ones the local security agencies have been issuing to the nation.
The source added that the fact that this alert came from foreign agencies did not major it different from the previous ones.
It was further gathered that deliberate steps have been taken to discourage large gatherings with the FCT.
Our correspondent observed that even filling stations have been instructed not to allow the usual crowding of cars while dispensing to the public.
Similar steps have been taken to flush out loiterers and those selling without allocated stalls in the markets within the FCT.
Our correspondent observed the arrest of large number of commercial motorcycle operators at close opposite Efab Estate, along the Kubwa-Kaduna Expressway.
The source assured the security agencies have taken elaborate steps and are still unrelenting to ensure that innocent people are safe, secured and protected within the FCT.
When contacted, the Spokesperson of the FCT Command, Josephine Adeh, a Deputy Superintendent of Police said the police has not alerted anybody of security threat in Abuja or anywhere.
Adeh advised people to go about their lawful duty without fear.
However, she said that the police had made a lot of deployments just to be proactive.
On the issue of private businesses shutting down their operations, she explained that the police did not advise them to do so.
“We keep saying that everybody should go about their normal duties.
There is no security threat in Abuja.
“We have made a lot of deployments just because we are proactive.
On your question of private businesses shutting down their operations, we never advised them to do that.” She explained