The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its satellite cities are still peaceful, which is a testament to President Muhammadu Buhari’s warning to the nation’s security establishment and to all of its inhabitants to be cautious and avoid panic.
No single terror attack had been recorded in Abuja and its surroundings two days after Buhari responded to the travel warnings that the governments of the United States and the United Kingdom had issued to their respective nationals.
All places of worship in the FCT and its satellite towns were quiet on Friday and Sunday as worshipers carried out their sacraments without incident.
The president gave the advice in response to security warnings given by some embassies in Abuja during his week-long trip to Seoul, South Korea, where he attended the First World Bio Summit.
The leader of Nigeria urged the nation’s security apparatus and all citizens to maintain their vigilance, stressing the need to prevent panic.
According to him, travellers shouldn’t be alarmed by the most recent adjustments to the U.S. and UK governments’ travel advisories.
”Nigeria is no exception in having terror threats listed in foreign government’s travel advice to their citizens.
”UK and U.S. travel advisories also state there is a high likelihood of terror attacks in many Western European nations.
”Indeed, the UK and U.S. advice to their respective citizens for travel to one another’s countries contain the same warning. Unfortunately, terror is a reality all over the world.
”However, it does not mean an attack in Abuja is imminent. Since the July prison raid, security measures have been reinforced in and around the FCT.
”Heightened monitoring and interception of terrorist communications ensure potential threats are caught further upstream,” the president said in a statement by his media aide on Friday.
Buhari expressed confidence that the nation would triumph over its current challenges given the ongoing efforts of the military and other security and intelligence services with the active support of the civilian people.
The Nigerian leader, who was in Seoul, delivered Nigeria’s Statement at the summit, in which he highlighted Nigeria’s determination to establish itself as a hub for the ethical production and distribution of vaccines and biological pharmaceuticals to support efforts to ensure the safety of all people.
On the fringes of the summit, the president met privately with his Korean counterpart, Mr. Yoon Suk-Yeol, at the Presidential Palace.
On the eve of the meeting in Seoul, Buhari met with the former UN Secretary-General, Ban Ki-Moon, as well as the African Group of Ambassadors accredited to the Republic of Korea.
The Nigerian leader pushed for more Korean investments in Nigeria so that both countries could benefit economically. He also met with leaders of key Korean businesses and industries in Seoul.
The gathering took place concurrently with the summit.
In addition, Buhari was present when the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the renovation of the Kaduna refinery was signed by Nigerian National Petroleum Company Ltd. and Daewoo Group.
As part of his engagements following the summit on Thursday, the president met with the leadership and a select group of Nigerian community members in an interactive setting before leaving Seoul.
The president met with the governor of Katsina State, Aminu Masari, behind closed doors at the State House after participating in the Friday Juma’at two-raka’at prayer with other Muslims at the Aso Rock Mosque.
