South-South Economic Summit: Delta Raises Security Alert Over Boko Haram

As Delta state prepares to host the South-South Economic Summit, security apprehension in the already tensed state has increased, as the state government issues an alert on plans by the extremist Islamist sect, Boko Haram to unleash mayhem on

 unsuspecting persons.
The three-day Summit with its team, Investment, Development and Security is intended to be graced by President of Rwanda, Dr. Paul Kagame and other esteemed global business and leading colossuses billed to participate at the second South-South Economic Summit scheduled for April 26-28, 2012 in Asaba, Delta State.

Others include former Mayor of New York, Rudy Giuliani; the 17th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States, Admiral Mike Mullen and first Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Professor John Lipsky.

The Summit, which will be declared open by President Goodluck Jonathan, will attract investors, professionals and top government functionaries both from Nigeria and offshore.

But the recent security alert by the Delta state government, according to Huhuonline.com / findings may have created anxiety and fear in the minds of those who are expected to attend the Economic Summit, which preparation is considered to be at its height already.

A security source also disclosed that the security alert is a good omen for the organising states of the Niger Delta region, as it would further strengthen vigilance and the poise of security agencies to be on their toes before and after the Summit.

Meanwhile, security presence have been beefed up across the state, especially in Asaba, the state capital and venue of the Summit, as combined teams of security agencies including the police, military, State Security Service (SSS), now engages in stop and search exercises at notable flashpoint areas in the state.

In statement titled, 'A Call For Security Vigilance In The Face Of Noticeable Threats From Extremist Groups' and signed by the Secretary to the state Government (SSG), Comrade Ovuozourie Marcaulay, on behalf of the Delta state government, said 'The Delta state government takes seriously such intelligence report in the face of the antecedents of the Boko Haram terrorist sect and other extremist groups.

The statement, made available to Huhuonline.com in Asaba reads:

'The Delta state government wishes to intimate the members of the general public that credible intelligence report at its disposal indicate that the Islamist terrorist sect, Boko Haram has put in place plans to kidnap and/or assassinate noticeable persons within the state. Their mode of operation is to sponsor their agents to infiltrate every part of the state.

'The Delta state government takes seriously such intelligence report in the face of the antecedents of the Boko Haram terrorist sect and other extremist groups.

'In the foregoing regards, members of the general public are advised to screen and monitor every private security guard engaged either in houses or work places. Such screening should equally extend to even those you have long been acquainted to ensure that such persons have not inculcated in the meanwhile, the teachings of extremism. By the same token, members of the public are advised to be circumspect  in dealing with artisans who, on the face value, may appear innocent but deep down are Islamic fundamentalists.

'The Delta state government wishes to warn, however, that the greatest security consciousness required of every citizenry is to be extra vigilant and promptly report any suspicious person(s) or strange parcels to law enforcement agencies for quick response.