The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba has assured residents of Abuja and Plateau State that they have nothing to fear about an earlier alarm raised about a possible attack by terrorists.
The IGP in an update released on Friday afternoon in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba stated that the initial alarm was not intended to raise fears amidst residents.
The Police boss assured law-abiding citizens that security operatives are in charge of the situation and their safety is guaranteed.
The update comes after the panic created among residents following the warning to the commissioners of police in Abuja and Plateau State by the acting Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, urging them to be on alert over imminent attacks by Boko Haram members.
The alert was contained in a circular forwarded to the two commissioners of police and signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, Idowu Owohunwa, an acting CP.
The IGP noted that an intelligence report revealed that terrorists are planning to attack Abuja and Jos.
The circular with reference number TB: 0900/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.TI/47 was titled ‘Terror elements to expand frontiers of attack.’
But in another update with reference number CZ.5300/FPRD/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.4/14, dated 21st May, 2021, the IGP assured citizens and residents that there is no cause for alarm.
The full statement reads: “The Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has assured citizens of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau State and other contiguous States, of safety and security as they go about their lawful day-to-day activities.”
“The IGP’s assurance is coming on the heels of the unintended, viral spread of an internal directive issued to the Commissioners of Police in Plateau State and FCT Commands to forestall any likelihood of attack or breach of security by organized criminal elements in their Areas of Responsibilities (AOR).”
“The IGP’s directive, which is a deliberate, intelligence-driven and proactive measure, is designed to prepare the law enforcement community for comprehensive response to any threat to lives and property.”
“The IGP noted that the security alert, rather than becoming a source of panic to the citizens, should instead send a message of re-assurance to them about the intelligence depth, capacity and operational preparedness of the Nigeria Police to preemptively deal and contain any threat to public peace and security.”
“The alert does not in any way suggest that an attack is imminent in any of the two States.”
“The Police High Command, therefore, calls for calm, urging citizens to go about their normal activities with renewed sense of vigour, patriotism and vigilance as the Police continue to work with other relevant stakeholders to keep our public space safe.”
Meanwhile, the US State Department, on Thursday, noted that the Islamic State in West Africa Province, ISWAP, will not get the $7 million bounty placed on the leader of Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau.
The State Department while reacting to the reports on the death of Shekau, said the bounty is not meant for a group under ISIS.