The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has denied rumour, especially on social media that Abuja is under the attack of Boko Haram terrorists.
The FCT Joint Security Team led by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Bala Ciroma, described the publication as mischievous and targeted at creating palpable tension in the nation’s capital.
Contrary to the speculation, according to a statement by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Yusuf Mariam, the Heads of Security Agencies (HOSA) in FCT in the bid to address security concerns within Abuja, held a strategic meeting on Thursday 29th April, 2021.
Mariam said the HOSA team resolved at the meeting to deploy alternative proactive crime-fighting measures within the FCT particularly in areas with challenging terrain including aggressive motorized/patrols.
The statement reads in part: “The attention of the FCT Joint Security Team has been drawn to a viral publication in the social media purporting that the ‘Federal Capital Territory is under the attack of Boko Haram Terrorists’.
“The Joint Security Team of the FCT wishes to refute the mischievous publication targeted at creating palpable tension amongst the well-spirited residents of the FCT.
“However, the patrols will be conducted in line with the peculiarities of every terrain within the territory, in other words, the team has adopted the use of motorcycles, horses and other technical means of gathering intelligence to checkmate criminality within the Federal Capital Territory.
“In view of the above, the Joint Security Team chaired by the Commissioner of Police CP. Bala Ciroma enjoins residents to remain calm, law-abiding and verify information before circulating such information to avoid creating panic amongst members of the public”.
The Joint Security Team, the police, said reaffirmed its undeterred resolve towards protection of lives and property.
It implored residents to report all suspicious movements, emergency or distress.