Bomb Scare Grips NASS …As Clerk Unveils New Security Checks

Fear has gripped members of the National Assembly as authorities of the assembly in Abuja yesterday raised alarm  that terrorists had listed the institution as a possible target for bomb attack.

The Deputy Clerk, National Assembly, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejokun, who disclosed this to newsmen said “we have received text messages and security reports that  indicated that the National Assembly is a possible target.’’

Adejokun said that based on this report “we have also come to the conclusion and are making arrangements to restrict visitors who come to see senators and honourable members”.

“ We are going to take measures that will restrict the movement of shuttle buses into the National Assembly as well as to thoroughly screen all those who come into the complex,’’ he added.

Adejokun said that measures would also be taken to introduce tags that would permit people to the different quarters of the complex.

He urged members of the National Assembly press corps to endeavour to comply with these directives to avoid embarrassment from members of the security department.

“We have concluded arrangement to install surveillance cameras in places before the end of the year,’’ he said and added that “we are not going to take this issue lying low.’’

This came moments after the management of the Nigerina National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) made spirited efforts to dispel strong rumours of possible bomb blast at the corporation’s four tower complex in Abuja same day.

The rumour of a bomb planted within the corporation’s complex had brought apprehension and caused some panic even as NNPC scaled up the screening of vehicles, members of staff and visitors to the complex.

But in a swift reaction in Abuja, the Group General Manager (Group Public Affairs Division) of NNPC, Dr Levi Ajuonuma, said, “there is no cause for alarm or panic”.

“What we are doing is a routine safety and security check on vehicles and persons entering the towers. It is a safety drill,’’ he told newsmen.

Ajuonuma said there was no need for any one to be scared of bomb attack at the towers.

He said the security measures were in consonance with the health and safety core values of the oil and gas industry worldwide.

The spokesman said: “The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, as usual conducted a security drill at its Corporate Headquarters and all its Strategic Business Units in the country to ward off any possible security breach.

“The top management of the corporation directed the security department to carry out a security drill, which is aimed at heightening security consciousness among the staff and all visitors to NNPC installations.

“There is no cause for alarm. The drill is a regular exercise that the corporation carries out from time to time.

“This is to assure our staff and all our visitors that we are on top of our security situation and to heighten our security alertness.

“The NNPC Towers is well secured and there is no threat of bomb scare anywhere,” Ajuonuma added.

He assured Nigerians of the corporation’s readiness to continue to sustain steady supply of petroleum products across the country.

The group general manager said that the NNPC would continue to touch the lives of Nigerians in many positive ways.

Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan  in Abuja vowed that the Federal Government would live no stone unturned in investigating the bomb blast during the marking of Nigeria’s 50th Independence Anniversary.

Jonathan made the promise at a church service to mark the end of the celebrations.

He described the blast as “a demonic act,’’ adding that the perpetrators would be brought to public glare.

He, however, urged Nigerians to pray for positive changes in the country as the country marked the celebrations.

Jonathan also pledged that government would make efforts to effect everlasting changes in the country.

“I have been constantly briefed on how Nigerians, especially religious leaders and some women in the remote places in the country prayed for me.

“Your prayers will make me do something different. All Nigerians must work hard to change the country,’’ he said.

He thanked Nigerians for their commitment and love towards the government under his leadership.

Jonathan said the jubilee year was a time to tackle the numerous challenges facing the country.

He described power as one major problem in the country that needed concerted efforts to solve, adding “we must not rest till we solve it’’.

The FCT Administration yesterday said it would henceforth remove all abandoned vehicles on the streets of Abuja.

Sen. Bala Mohammed, the FCT Minister, who said this in Abuja while briefing newsmen after the monthly FCT Executive Meeting, added that the action would checkmate security lapses in the city.

He said the action was being taken in the overall interest of the public to enable security agencies to take firm control of the security situation in and around the FCT.

“All vehicles abandoned or left unattended to on the streets of the Abuja city will henceforth be removed and handed over to the Abuja Auto Pound, because such vehicles can pose security risks to the residents of the territory,” Mohammed said.

The minister also said that modalities were already being worked out as a matter of urgency, to relocate all second-hand vehicle dealers along major road corridors.

Mohammed stressed that security was paramount on the agenda of the FCT administration and no stone would be left unturned in safeguarding the lives and property of all residents of the territory.

The minister also directed the FCT Monitoring and Inspection Department to extend its services to other areas like the street lights, hospitals, satellite towns and engineering infrastructure.

Mohammed said the FCT Administration would do all that is possible to step up the monitoring of all departments’ activities.