Boko Haram: FG Orders Massive Security Around Fed Secretariat, MDAs

Source: huhuonline.com

Huhuonline.com understands that the Federal Government has introduced new security measures to curtail the ignoble attacks on unsuspecting Nigerians and government establishments by the BoKo Haram terrorist sect.

Findings revealed Wednesday, the Federal Government issued directives to government agencies in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja to commence installation of surveillance devices in and around their premises.

A dependable security source told Huhuonline.com that other sophisticated security apparatuses have already been purchased for security attachés deployed from the State Security Service (SSS) and acting as Departmental Security Officers (DSOs) in government owned Ministries, Departments and Agencies.  

'We now have parcel/letter bomb detectors, CCTV cameras, walk-through metal detectors and other superior surveillance gadgets to ward off any possible attack from anybody, including suspected members of the Boko Haram sect.'  

Confirming the new security measures aimed at curtailing acts of terrorism, the Permanent Secretary (Special Services Office), Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Esther Gonda, said her office has commenced the implementation of these security measures as well as the positioning of snipers around public buildings and government establishments.  

Gonda, who spoke at security consciousness workshop for Departmental Security Officers (DSOs) in Abuja on Wednesday, said the increasing security challenges in the country had made it imperative for government to strengthen the security of public establishments in the country.  

While calling for an urgent attitudinal change and overhaul of existing security strategies, owing to the indifference attached to security agencies security issues in the past by government, she said that, 'Events of the last few months starting with the June 11, 2011 and the August 26, 2011 bombings of the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters and the UN Building respectively, had left no one in doubt of the fact that we cannot continue in the nonchalant way we handle security. The challenges we face daily demand that we must change our attitude to the way we work, and the way we view our environment.  

'We must, therefore, critically access our surroundings and determine how vulnerable we are. We must also determine those who should have access to our premises.  

'Let me seize this opportunity to inform you that while the government is planning to emplace adequate security measures for cluster MDAs within Abuja, the DSOs through their respective MDAs are expected to provide basic security measures such as CCTV, walkthrough metal detectors, scanners, parcel/letter bomb detectors, etc.  

'At the moment, the office is completing the installation of Bollards, Under Vehicle Surveillance System (UVSS), and Biometric Access Control System. Snipers have been purchased and the office has also concluded plans to beef up its fence with sensor wires and intelligent security cameras.  

'This workshop is tackling not just issues of physical security, but the issue of document security will be discussed and this must be taken very seriously.'  

Also, a representative of the State Security Service (SSS), Ms. Marilyn Ogar said, 'Security agencies are on top of the security situation. I want to say authoritatively that if everybody comes on board, we will soon see the end of the present security challenges. Technology is not enough, there must be confidence and trust building.'