Sallah: Tight security ordered for Eid praying grounds •SSS foils plot to bomb worshippers in 4 states

As Muslims prepare for the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, security has been tightened nationwide following intelligence reports of terrorists planning to bomb worshippers at eid el – fitri praying grounds in some states.

The State Security Service (SSS) said on Friday that it had uncovered a sinister plot by terrorist elements to stage series of coordinated attacks using explosives on different cities across the country during Sallah celebrations.

Their aim, according to a statement signed by its spokesman, Tony Opuyo, was to hit soft targets such as markets, public parks, public processions, recreation centres, as well as worship centres, especially the praying grounds and other densely populated areas during the forthcoming Sallah celebrations.

According to the statement, it took the men of the service, who were out to take pro-active measures against any act of terrorism in the country, several weeks to uncover the plot by its men.

The DSS disclosed that the latest plan by the terrorists was to unleash mayhem on Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna and Maiduguri.

“Consequently, the service wishes to announce that the planned terrorist attacks in Kano and the other aforementioned states have been nipped in the bud.

‘‘This followed the arrest of Yusuf Adamu and Abdumuminu Haladu in the early hours of Friday in Sokoto. Adamu and his accomplice were to command the operation in Kano. However, the service had earlier arrested the facilitator of the Kano attack, an explosive expert by name Bashir Mohammed at Unguwar Barnawa, Shekar Madaki, Kumbatso Local Government Area of Kano State on June 20, 2017.

“Their plan, together with others now at large, was to assemble the explosives and use them on select targets during the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations,” the statement stated.

The SSS stated further that following  the arrest of Mohammed in Kumbatso, Kano, a search was conducted onhis residence and that the following dangerous weapons were recovered: eight AK-47 rifles; 20 fully loaded AK-A7 magazines, 27 hand grenades, 793 rounds of live ammunition and 1 gas cylinder,

Others were three laptops, one GSM handset, one Lifan motorcycle, one Honda Civic car (ash colour) and one printer.

The SSS  said it also uncovered plans by the terrorist elements to infiltrate the ranks of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (a.k.a. Shiites). It said  this was in an attempt to assume a formidable cover to unleash violence and evoke a complete state of chaos in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja during the  group’s Qudus Day Procession/Rally scheduled for Friday in Abuja and several states in the Northern parts of the country.

The statement said: ‘‘Sequel to this, the service is warning members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) to desist from staging any form of procession or demonstration as the terrorists will seize the opportunity to unleash mayhem.

“The public is encouraged to disregard the antics of these terrorist extremists to cause a breakdown of law and order and instill fear in the populace. The service is working, in concert with other security agencies, to ensure that no section of the country is attacked during and after the Sallah celebrations.

“Law abiding citizens and residents are not only assured of their safety but are enjoined to go about their normal businesses without fear of attack. We pledge to engage all stakeholders to ensure a hitch free Eid-el-Fitri festival across the country.

“While the public is enjoined to remain very vigilant before, during and after the Sallah celebrations, people with useful information regarding suspicious movements and faces as well as unusual activities of criminals and terrorists around their neighbourhoods, are advised to immediately avail same to the service or the nearest security agency.”

 

NSCDC deploys 2,000 personnel

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kano State Command, said it had deployed no fewer than 2,000 personnel to beef up security during Eid-el-Fitr celebrations in the state.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr Ibrahim Idris, disclosed this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Kano on Friday.

He said that the personnel would work at strategic places across the 44 local government areas of the state to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations.

He warned thugs and other miscreants to desist from acts capable of breaching public peace during the celebrations as the corps would deal decisively with anyone caught in the act.

“I want to use this opportunity to warn that the corps will deal severely with thugs and miscreants attempting to breach public peace and order.”

 

FRSC deploys personnel on major roads, urges motorists to be careful

THE Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) is to deploy about 100 personnel for special patrols on the Benin-Ore-Sagamu Expressway during the forthcoming Eld-el-Fitri celebration.

Mr Umoru Abdullahi, the Ore Unit Commander of the corps, told the NAN on Friday in Ore, Ondo State, that the measure was to ease traffic and check accidents.

Abdullahi also said that the unit began a weeklong special patrol on the route on Thursday to check accidents during the celebration.

“We record more road accidents during celebrations due to speed limit violation and reckless driving, especially by commercial drivers in their bid to make more trips and money.

“We are deploying more than 100 corps marshals on the Benin-Ore-Sagamu Expressway for special patrols and for motorists to take necessary precautions during the Sallah,” Abdullahi said.

He appealed to motorists to obey traffic rules and regulations.

In Plateau State, the FRSC also promised to ensure road safety during the celebration. The Public Education Officer of the state sector command of the corps, Mr Andrew Bala, told NAN on Friday in Jos that the command had deployed all its personnel to ease traffic and check accidents.

“Holiday for this year’s Eid-el-Fitr is going to be long; so, there will be massive vehicle movement.

“The command has, therefore, directed all officers and men under it to be on the road so as to ensure an accident-free celebration.

“We are also going to ensure free flow of traffic on the busy roads in Jos and its environs,” he said.

Bala also called on motorists to drive with caution.

Also in Bayelsa, the corps has deployed more personnel, patrol vehicles and ambulances to major roads.

Mr Ikechukwu Igwe, the state Sector Commander of FRSC, gave the assurance in an interview with NAN in Yenagoa on Friday. He said: “I am assuring the people of Bayelsa that we are ready.

“We have made a lot of preparations to ensure safety of lives and property on the roads during the Eid-el-Fitri.

“ Our men will be on the East-West Road and Kaiama-Sagbama axis.

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Abia, Ogun police commands assure of security during, after Sallah celebrations

The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Leye Oyebade, has said that adequate security measures had been put in place in the state for Muslim faithful to have hitch-free Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

Oyebade, who spoke through the command’s spokesman, Geoffrey Ogbonna, in a press release made available to Saturday Tribune, reassured Muslim faithful of the command’s continued resolve to protect lives and properties in the state.

In the same vein, the Ogun State Police Command assured residents that it had put in place a robust security arrangement in order to ensure an hitch-free Sallah celebrations.

According to a statement made available to newsmen, signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abimbola Oyeyemi, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ahmed Iliyasu, said covert policemen have been strategically deployed across the state with the mandate of ensuring crime-free Sallah celebrations.

“Men of special units such as the Federal-State Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS), Anti-Kidnapping and Cultism sections have also been deployed to nip in the bud any violent crime that may want to rear its ugly head, while 24 hours surveillance has also been ordered around various praying grounds in the state,” the statement read.

 

Why we are hosting Muslims in 20 centres —Ambode

The Lagos State governor,  Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, has explained the rationale behind the decision of his administration to host Muslims in 20 centres across the state for the Eid-el-Fitr celebration.

He said the gesture was part of the strategy to bring about bonding among the people and enhance community participation in governance.

Governor Ambode gave the explanation while receiving members of the Lagos state Council of Obas and Chiefs who paid him a courtesy visit  state at the Government House  Alausa.

He said it had been observed overtime that people travelled from far and near to celebrate with the first family in the state during festive periods.

He said the decision to host Muslims in various centres across the state was basically to address such trend on the one hand, and also to give greater number of people the sense of participation in governance on the other hand.

He said: “Like you are aware, we intend to celebrate the Ramadan in the various communities and I need to make some explanations here. Before now, anytime we are having festivities maybe Ramadan, Christmas, New Year and so on, people normally converge at the State House to come and greet the first family. At such times you see people coming all the way from Badagry,  Igbogbo or Epe  to celebrate with us.’’

 

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