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Security Alert: Buhari Tells Nigerians Not To Panic

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Following his return to Abuja from his six days visit to Seoul, the South Korean capital, President Muhammadu Buhari has told Nigerians not to panic over the security alert from the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).

According to the President, the U.S. and U.K warnings to their citizens in Nigeria should not destabilise the country because the nation’s security operatives are on top of the situation.

Naija News reports that President Buhari, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, urged Nigerians and the various security agencies to be vigilant and security conscious.

Recall that the US Department of State had on Sunday issued a travel advisory to warn its citizens to avoid travelling to some parts of Nigeria, especially the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), noting the possible terror attacks.

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This has caused panic in most areas of the FCT and even Nigeria at large, as some businesses and activities have been hindered and closed.

Some individuals have even called for the suspension of campaigns by political parties all to avoid possible terror attacks on the lives of innocent Nigerians.

In the statement, “President Muhammadu advises the nation’s security establishment and entire citizens to continue being vigilant and careful with security, saying it is important to avoid panic.

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“He urges citizens to remain calm. The recent changes in travel advice from the US and UK governments should not be a cause for panic.

“Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s travel advice to their citizens. UK and US travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations. Indeed, the UK and US advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality the world over.

“However, it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT. Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream.

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“Attacks are being foiled. Security agents are proactively rooting out threats to keep citizens safe – much of their work is unseen and necessarily confidential.

“Nigerians’ safety remains the highest priority of the government. Security services are working around the clock to keep harm at bay.

“The President gives assurances that the government is on top of the security situation in the country.

“While noting, in addition, that security threats are real and have been with us for a long while, the nation’s military, the police and other security agencies have shown a capability to deal with it, as is evident from the fact that a majority of our partners, including the United Nations agencies in our midst, have not seen the threat as being sufficient to warrant any form of panic or order citizen evacuations.

“The President stresses that that while being security conscious, being alert and careful is crucial, it is also important that responsible members of the society do not create situations leading to unnecessary panic.”