Earlyface

The Presidency yesterday ordered a 24-hour security alert nationwide, following an early morning attack on the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the Federal Capital Territory by unknown gunmen.

The gunmen killed two policemen and set free more than 30 high-profile suspects.

But the police said they arrested two of the attackers and 25 of the fleeing suspects.

Inspector-General of Police M.D. Abubakar has set up a panel to probe the incident.

Also yesterday, some embassies, especially the United Kingdom , warned their citizens against travelling to Kaduna State, following the Jaji bomb explosions and the attack on SARS.

The UK also asked Britons to restrict their movement to some parts of Abuja

But the Presidency has directed all security agencies, including the police, to place the nation on a 24-hour alert.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The government is deeply worried about the resurgence of bombings and attacks by gunmen since it decided to rule out dialogue with any militant group and placed ransom on some leaders of the Boko Haram sect.

“The Presidency has directed all military formations, security/intelligence agencies and the police to beef up security nationwide. This directive became necessary because the recent gains recorded by security agencies have overwhelmed some of them.

“I can tell you that there will be tight security nationwide with priority placed on volatile states in the Northeast, Northwest and Northcentral.”

No group has claimed responsibility for the SARS invasion, which bears the imprint of the Boko Haram (western education is sin) sect.

A source said it was difficult to ascertain who the gunmen were because the suspects in the SARS included armed robbers and other dangerous criminals.

“Gang members of each group of suspects could have mobilised to invade SARS,” said the sources, adding: “The luck we had was that SARS is heavily fortified and our officers and men were able to launch a counter-attack against the gunmen.

“Unless a group comes out to claim responsibility, we have to wait for the outcome of the Special Investigative Panel raised by the IGP.

A statement by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, gave an ight into the attack.

The statement said: “In the early hours of Monday (at about 2am), unknown gunmen in large number attacked the premises of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command. Policemen on duty responded swiftly and engaged the gunmen in a gun battle that lasted for some minutes, at the end of which the gunmen were successfully repelled.

“However, in the confusion that ensued, about 30 suspects in the detention facilities of SARS broke out of the cells and attempted to escape. Tactical and coordinated efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspects yielded instant result.

“So far, twenty five (25) of the suspects have been re-arrested while five (5) suspects originally being held in relation to robbery related offences are currently at large. Two (2) Policemen died during the operation while two (2) of the attackers have been arrested.

“It needs to be emphasisd here that no suspect held for terror related charges escaped from SARS detention facilities. No explosive or IED-related materials were used in the botched attack.

“Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP MD Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni has personally visited the scene of the incident to assess the situation.

“He has equally ordered a high-powered investigative panel headed by a Senior Police Officer to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident

“Similarly, the IGP has ordered water-tight security around all government and Police related facilities nationwide.

“The Police High Command uses this medium to appeal to Nigerians for calm while reassuring them of the Force’s reparedness to perform its constitutional and statutory responsibilities of providing adequate security for the state and the entire citizenry.

“The Force, therefore, enjoins the public to continue to go about their lawful duty without fear or intimidation as adequate strategies have been put in place to guarantee the general security and safety of all Nigerians.”

It was also learnt that some cells being used by some militant groups and criminals have been identified and demolished in the FCT and its environs.

The source added: “We are on the trail of some groups and sect commanders who had been operating in the FCT-Niger State axis. We will rout them out of their operational bases.

“We will ensure that we protect lives and property in the FCT and its environs.”

But, despite the assurance, some embassies were yesterday gripped with anxiety.

A diplomatic source said: “Some embassies made consultations on the need to liaise with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the actual security situation in Abuja .

“They became anxious because SARS is not far away from Asokoro District, which is hosting some embassies. And the embassies in Asokoro District felt the impact of the crossfire between the gunmen and SARS police.”

While the enquiry is in progress, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the UK, through its High Commission in Nigeria, at about 5pm yesterday updated its travel advice to its citizens following the Jaji and SARS incidents.

The travel advice reads in part: “This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments to the Travel Summary (bomb attack on 25 November on church in Jaji, Kaduna State : security incident at police station in the Guzape area of Abuja ). The overall level of the advice has not changed. We advise against all travel to some areas of Nigeria and against all but essential travel to other areas, including Kaduna , and Zaria cities .

“We advise against ALL travel to: Borno State ; Yobe State ; the riverine areas of Delta; Bayelsa; Rivers; Akwa Ibom; Cross River State ; Warri city; and Kano city.

“We advise against ALL BUT ESSENTIAL travel to: Bauchi State ; Jos city; Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas in Plateau State ; Gombe State ; Mubi Town in Adamawa State and the area north of Mubi town that borders Borno State . Non-riverine areas of Delta, Bayelsa, Rivers and Akwa Ibom States ; Abia State ; Kaduna City ; Zaria City.

“There was a bomb attack on 25 November on a church in Jaji, Kaduna State . Initial reports state that this resulted in a number of deaths. You should exercise vigilance and caution, and monitor the local media for further information.

“In the early morning of 26 November there was a security incident involving a police station in the Guzape area of Abuja . The nature of the incident is still unclear, but we advise British Citizens to avoid the area for the time being.

“There was a bomb attack on a church in Kaduna City on 28 October, resulting in deaths and injuries. You should exercise vigilance and caution, and monitor the local media for further information.

“There have been violent clashes between ethnic groups in Agyaragu, Nassarawa State on 22 November which has led to a number of deaths. British nationals in the area should exercise vigilance and caution, and monitor the local media for further information.”