THERE are fears over likely attacks on oil installations in Warri, Warri Local Government Area of Delta State, as security agents were, on Sunday, put on red alert, following a report on the arrival of three vehicles loaded with suspected Boko Haram members.
Nigerian Tribune gathered that the vehicles that brought the suspected sect members arrived in Warri at about 4.00 a.m.
Warri houses major oil installations from which the country derives the largest percentage of its revenue.
Sources disclosed that undercover security agents were informed about the development by an informant leading to a frantic security search for the suspected Boko Haram members.
“We got a signal that three vehicles brought in some suspected Boko Haram sect members into Warri early today (Sunday). We have cordoned the areas we suspect they might take up residence.
“We have also held a meeting with the leadership of the Hausa community in Warri, with an agreement to report new entrants into the oil city,” a highly placed security source disclosed.
Nigerian Tribune observed security agents moving around Warri city on Sunday in search of the suspected Boko Haram members.
Heavy security was also observed at Hausa Quarters on the Warri-Sapele Road, as well as Ugwuwagbe area.
Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr Charles Muka, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), said he was yet to be briefed, but assured the people that adequate security arrangements were in place to thwart any threat in any part of the state.
FG deploys soldiers
at borders
Meanwhile, all the nation’s northern borders have received heightened security alerts lately, following intelligence reports suggesting regular influx of violent elements into the country from neighbouring countries.
Consequently, soldiers have been deployed in the official border areas as well as illegal routes in the North.
A security source told the Nigerian Tribune that land borders in the North-West and the North-East had been of particular interest to the security agencies, since trans- border activities of religious extremists in that part of the country had been confirmed.
Apart from the traditional security and para-military forces who man the border posts, the source said the military itself had been involved in curtailing the activities of terrorists believed to be escaping to these neighbouring countries after perpetrating atrocities in Nigeria.
The Libyan crisis and reports of the escape of some of Moammer Gaddafi’s soldiers into neighbouring Niger Republic, the source said, had added to security concerns along the borders with that country.
The matter is made worse with the reported involvement of some Nigerians in the Libyan war, some of who could also escape home through these borders with the tendency of linking up with the home-grown terrorists currently planting and detonating bombs in Nigeria.
The comptroller of customs, Adamawa/ Taraba command, Mr Joseph Sambo, confirmed the security alert at the borders in the area. He gave kudos to the Brigader Commander 23 Armoured Brigade, Yola, Brigadier-General John Nwaoga, who he said had been very supportive to other agencies in providing security at the borders.
Also, a senior immigration officer in Adamawa State disclosed in reply to enquiries by the Nigerian Tribune that security at the borders in the state had been very tight.
He said the state immigration command had beefed up security at the borders in the wake of the current security challenges in the country.
Also, Borno State Comptroller of Immigration, Babayo Alkali, disclosed, at the weekend, that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), in conjunction with the military Joint Task Force (JTF), had tightened security at all the border points with neighbouring countries of Chad, Cameroun and Niger Republic.
He explained that the measures put in place were to check the influx of illegal aliens and Chadian rebels, who were said to be teaming up with Boko Haram to wreak havoc on the country.
Niger and Chad are of particular interest, said another source, who pointed at the existence of several illegal entry points into Nigeria from these countries.
In the North-West, a major border post with Niger Republic is in Illela town in Sokoto State, while there are such key border towns with that country in Zamfara and Katsina states. In the North-East, there are border posts in Gambouru, Banki, Baga, Duji-Damasak, Sigal and Jilbe, with the three affected neighbouring countries.
A local source in Illela told the Nigerian Tribune that men of the Nigerian Army had intensified patrol of the border area lately.
However, one of the major challenges facing the security forces is said to be the scores of unauthorised trans-border routes which criminals use to enter and exit the country.
Blood and language affinity among the residents on both sides of the border areas are other factors which the source said had been aiding criminal activities across the borders with these countries. The source noted that several communities in the North-West and the North-East had large numbers of aliens who had inter-married with Nigerians.
The Borno State immigration comptroller further told newsmen that “the influx of aliens into Nigeria through the border points is causing a lot of security threats to Nigeria and its citizens, where some of them join the Boko Haram sect in the serial attacks, killings and bombings that have claimed many lives and property in Maiduguri, Biu, Monguno and Bama, a border town with Cameroun.”
He said since the deployment of troops in Maiduguri on June 12, 2011, the immigration service had joined forces with the Joint Task Force in putting a “water-tight security” system at all the border posts.
In Zamfara State, the only recognised borders in the state are Shinkafi in Shinkafi Local Government Area of the state and in Gobir Bore village in Zurmi Local Government Area, both bordering Niger Republic. However, apart from these two borders, there are several other illegal entry and exit points created by smugglers.
Speaking in an interview, the Public Relations Officer of Zamfara State immigration command, Alhaji Yahaya Lummu, told the Nigerian Tribune that the command had ensured that the border towns were properly monitored by his men. According to him, “we are up to the task. And we are doing our jobs in accordance with the laws of the land.”
Also, investigation carried out by the Nigerian Tribune revealed that military men are firmly on the ground around these border towns. A senior military officer who pleaded for anonymity confirmed the deployment of soldiers in the borders. He said the soldiers were on the ground to monitor the security situation at the borders with the view to providing adequate surveillance.
In another development, the Department of State Security Service (SSS), on Sunday placed N25,000,000 prize on wanted Boko Haram member, Mamman Nur, in connection with the bombing of the United Nations House in Abuja last month.
A two-paragraph statement signed by the Assistant Director Public Relations, Mrs Marilyn Ogar, and made available to Nigerian Tribune in Abuja read: “Following the bombing of the United Nations (UN) building on 26th August, 2011 in Abuja by Boko Haram, which claimed about twenty-three (23) lives, Mamman Nur was identified as the mastermind and security agencies subsequently declared him wanted.
“Attached herewith is a picture of Mamman Nur. He is still declared wanted. A reward of twenty five million naira (N25,000,000) is being offered for information that could lead directly to the apprehension or conviction of Mamman Nur. If you have any information concerning this person, please contact the nearest police station, military formation or any other security agency.”
It will be recalled that the SSS spokesperson had, through a statement she issued on August 31, confirmed that one Mamman Nur, in conjunction with two other persons, masterminded the bomb blast at the UN House.
No comments:
Post a Comment