Nigeria’s Brigade of Guards has significantly increased security in Abuja and its environs following a security alert that terrorists are planning to attack schools and churches in the capital city.
Bellnews Online learned that new security measures were required after the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) issued an alert last week warning that insurgents planned to attack schools, churches, and public infrastructure in the territory.
The situation compelled schools and churches to review their security plans immediately.
In response to the development, troops have been deployed to all entry and exit points in Abuja, and soldiers have increased stop and search operations with additional checkpoints.
This is why there have been reports of traffic jams on the Nyanya-Karu Road, the Lugbe-Abuja City Gate axis, and the Gwagwalada-Zuba area.
This comes only two weeks after daring terrorists attacked the Kuje Maximum Prison, releasing 455 hardened criminals.
Furthermore, the new security measures came as the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) announced that in the previous two weeks, naval troops on anti-bunkering operations in the Niger Delta region had destroyed 109 illegal refining sites and arrested 24 oil bunkerers.
During a media briefing in Abuja, Maj Gen Bernard Onyeuko, Director, Defence Media Operations (DDMO), stated that soldiers recovered over N2.7 billion in stolen crude, which included over four million litres of crude oil, two million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and 30,000 litres of DPK.
According to him, Operation Delta Safe troops discovered and destroyed 34 wooden boats, 150 storage tanks, 119 ovens, 104 dugout pits, 27 pumping machines, one weapon, one speed boat, 13 vehicles, and seven outboard engines.
According to Onyeuko, the soldiers accomplished the feat while taking part in Operation Octopus Grip, which took place in creeks, towns, and communities across Delta, Bayelsa, and Rivers States.
In addition to providing an update on military operations from June 30 to July 14, the DMO spokesman stated that 3,858 Boko Haram fighters and their families surrendered to counter-insurgency troops.
Six terrorist commanders, including Mallam Mala Hassan, Ali Madagali, Musa Bashir, Buba Dahiru, Jafar Hamma, and Abbali Nakib Polisawa, surrendered, along with 505 men, 1,042 women, and 2,311 children.
During the review period, Onyeuko stated that soldiers killed several terrorists and arrested several logistics suppliers/collaborators with various items at various logistics towns across the theater.