Responding to potential terror attacks in the nation’s capital, the Nigerian Army’s Brigade of Guards, responsible for the security of the president, his family, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has deployed troops at the entry and exit points in Abuja, for more effective security of the seat of power. 

According to the military’s Defence Media Operations (DMO), to this end, soldiers have intensified stop-and-search operations, with increased checkpoints in view of the development.

It was gathered that the new security measures might not be unconnected to a security alert issued last week by the FCT Command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), that the insurgents were planning to attack schools, churches and public infrastructure in the territory.

The situation had immediately forced schools and churches to review their security arrangements.

The DMO spokesman, Brigadier General Bernard Onyeuko, while giving an update on military operations conducted between June 30 to July 14, also said 3,858 Boko Haram fighters and their families surrendered to troops fighting the counter-insurgency war.  Those who surrendered included 505 males, 1,042 females and 2,311 children, as well as six commanders of the terrorists, amongst them, Mala Hassan, Ali Madagali, Musa Bashir, Buba Dahiru, Jafar Hamma, and Abbali Nakib Polisawa.

Within the period under review, Onyeuko said soldiers killed several terrorists and arrested some logistics suppliers/collaborators with various items at various logistics towns within the theatre. He further disclosed that the nation, in the last 12 years, had experienced more security challenges but was quick to hail the operational capability of the Nigerian military. 

President Muhammadu Buhari, who pledged the readiness of his administration to provide additional logistics and support to the military towards eliminating terrorism and insurgency in the country, has also described the armed forces’ response to insecurity as commendable.