Stories By Cyril Mbah, Abuja
Security has been enhanced at the two federal secretariats in Abuja to avert any likely attack by terrorists on the facilities located at Area 1 and the Main Federal Secretariat at the Central Area.
It was gathered that the improved security measures was adopted in line with the Federal Government’s effort to develop a security policy framework and a National Action Plan (NAP) that will require Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the country to use prevention in countering violent extremism of groups like Boko Haram terrorists in their policies and programmes.
Investigations also showed that major first class hotels in the city, such as the Nicon Luxury, Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Sheraton Hotels among others have restructured their security arrangements after the military declared a security alert on hotels last month.
Visitors to ministries, departments, agencies and hotels in Abuja are now required to present valid identification preferably National ID cards as well as provide details of the business to be transacted or call the officer to be seen before being allowed into the offices.
Several visitors to the ministries, agencies and hotels are however complaining that the stringent security measures, including physical screening, introduced to validate visitors have become too cumbersome, time consuming and unfavourable for business transaction in offices.
Explaining the reasons for the new security measures, the Coordinator, Counter Terrorism Centre (CTC) at the office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Commodore Yem Musa, disclosed that the government will implement three broad measures to improve security at the ministries, departments and agencies.
According to him, “The three measures include looking at security from a strategic context, adopting a guiding principle in monitoring core constituencies and institutions as well as using the National Action Plan to prevent attacks of critical facilities.”
He stated that civil society organisations will be engaged to play major key roles in educating the public on the new measures stressing, “We are aware that NGOs are already implementing programmes that address the situations conducive to violent extremism.”
“We must work together to target programmes towards addressing concerns in peace, security and development. Working together to create safer and resilient communities should guide our approach at all times,” he added.