The Federal Government has asked the police to beef up security around diplomatic installations, buildings and embassy personnel in response to the killing of United States’ Ambassador to Libya, Mr. Christopher Stevens and three embassy officials in the US consulate in Benghazi.
The Presidency which is still facing the embarrassment of spate of suicide bombings by the Islamic sect, Boko Haram, would not want to be caught unawares, hence it is ensuring that no stone is left upturned.
Consequently, the government has directed the armed forces and the Police to take preventive and decisive measures to contain a possible domino-effect of the crisis which broke out on the 11th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the United States.
The Nigeria Police have taken proactive security measures to ensure that no similar violence was replicated within the country.
A statement signed by Force Spokesman, CSP Frank Mba, noted that the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has placed all Police Formations across the Federation on red alert.
According to Mba, “the IGP has directed all Zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure a 24-hour water-tight security in and around all Embassies and Foreign Missions in Nigeria as well as other vulnerable targets.
“In addition, the AIG in charge of Intelligence and Commissioners of Police in charge of the various Police Special Squads such as the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Special Protection Unit (SPU) have been directed to ensure that their personnel are strategically deployed to prevent and nib all potential crisis in the bud.
On the part of the military, the General Officers Commanding the Divisions and Corps Commanders in the Country and their equivalent in other services were yesterday directed to work with other security agencies to ensure that there was no out break of violence.
For the Army, Quick Response military outfits, Counter terrorism and Special forces were to be deployed for patrols while places of worship and religious leaders were to be monitored to ensure they don’t instigate their followers into violence. The Navy and Air Force were to follow suit.