Plot to bomb Abuja motor parks uncovered

The Nigeria Police on Saturday said it had intelligence reports that terrorists had perfected plan to attack the Federal Capital Territory’s transport sector, the News Agency of Nigeria reports.

According to the report, the police claim is contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Frank Mba.

It therefore ordered the Commissioner of Police in the territory and commissioners in adjoining states to beef up security at major parks around Abuja and its environs.

The statements stated that “the attacks are intended to cause panic among Abuja residents and visitors alike.

“They are planned to be perpetrated through suicide bombings, or through the use of Improvised Explosive Devices concealed in luggage, bags, cans, and other receptacles.”

It called on the people of the territory to be vigilant and report any suspicious persons, objects, movements or activities to the security forces promptly.

The statement, however, enjoined them not to panic as security forces were working round the clock to neutralise and effectively deal with the threat.

It called on the various managements of motor parks to strengthen security at the parks and take measures to ensure the safety of travellers as part of efforts to forestall the intended attacks.

The statement advised them to constantly scan their environments and carry out a thorough search on passengers and their bags as well as vehicles entering and leaving parks.

It further advised that such search must have the active participation of passengers and warned that any item or luggage unaccompanied by any passenger must be rejected immediately.

“Passengers are also enjoined to be on the lookout for any passenger, who might come in with luggage but will attempt to disembark without such luggage,” it said.

It asked the operators to discourage overnight parking of vehicles at motor parks, particularly by unknown persons, and advised workers at parks to reduce congestion by disallowing the indiscriminate parking of private cars.