Despite assurances by Nigeria’s security forces that they are well positioned to prevent the current wave of terrorist threats on the FCT, Abuja, residents of the city have not been sleeping with both eyes closed.
Findings show that residents have lost confidence in the ability of the Federal Government to contain the growing attacks and threats from the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) and Boko Haram terrorists and have adopted extra security measures, including prayers, to protect themselves against the bandits.
The residents spoke a day after the National Security Adviser, Maj. Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd), who addressed the press after a five-hour closed-door meeting of the National Security Council last Thursday chaired by President Muhammadu Buhari, had admitted that Nigerians were tired of the current security challenges facing the nation and were tending towards seeking self-help.
Recollect that on the night of Tuesday, July 5, this year, terrorists attacked the Kuje Correctional Centre near the FCT, and released over 900 inmates, including Boko Haram suspects. The ISWAP had confessed responsibility for the attack.
As residents were gradually recovering from the shock of the jailbreak, the terrorists, on Monday, July 25, threatened to kidnap President Muhammadu Buhari and Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai
This was after soldiers from the elite Guards Brigade were attacked by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in Bwari Area Council of the FCT.
The Guards Brigade is in charge of the security of the President, his entire family, the Vice President, VIP, the FCT, and its surrounding states.
In the face of growing insecurity, attacks, and threats of coming attacks from ISWAP and Boko Haram, residents of the FCT said they have lost morale in the ability of the government of the day to protect them and have resorted to prayers.
Some of the residents said that the nation’s capital was becoming a fearful place to live in such that they now sleep with one eye open.
