Boko Haram invasion plot: Anxiety in FCT, heavy security at NNPC, Army barracks, others

There was heightened anxiety in parts of the Federal Capital Territory, on Thursday following reports of alleged imminent attacks on parts of the FCT.

On Wednesday, lawmakers had been notified of a possible attack by Boko Haram insurgents on the National Assembly complex and other public buildings in Abuja.

There were also media reports that schools in the Bwari area of Abuja hurriedly shut down on Wednesday over alleged arrival of truckloads of bandits in a neighbouring town, Sabon Wuse.

Our correspondent reported that palpable fear enveloped some parts of the FCT on Thursday and security was beefed up at the main gate of the Mogadishu Barracks in Abuja popularly called Abacha Barracks.

Armed soldiers were seen subjecting vehicles entering the barracks located not too far from the AYA roundabout to thorough checks.

The situation led to a long queue of vehicles that stretched beyond the bridge in front of the barracks into the Abuja-Nasarawa Expressway.

Recall that there was a bomb blast at pubs near the barracks on the eve of January 1, 2011, when many people were killed. Boko Haram later claimed it carried out the attack.

At the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation headquarters, Abuja, security was also beefed up on Thursday.

Both the private guards of the corporation and armed policemen, as well as soldiers, ensured that all vehicles going into the oil company were thoroughly searched. This led to slow vehicular movements at the NNPC headquarters in the Central Area of the FCT.

Well-armed police officers were positioned in strategic locations in front of the corporation as some were seen in a black Land Cruiser jeep, which had its boot opened and some men sitting in it.

Officials of the oil firm stated that the enhanced measures were put in place to further protect the NNPC considering the tense level of insecurity nationwide.

“There is always security presence here, but, of course, the situation in Nigeria now has made it necessary to further strengthen the security architecture at the corporation,” the source stated on the condition of anonymity.