Inspector General of Police Usman Baba says security agencies have successfully restored confidence and hope among residents of Abuja and its environs following earlier notice of terror threats issued by some embassies in the country.
Baba stated this when he addressed State House correspondents during the weekly ministerial briefing organised by the Presidential Communications Team on Thursday in Abuja
He dismissed the assertion that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies did not take the alarm raised the embassies serious.
He, however, stated that the terror alerts raised by the embassies were blown out of proportion.
“Government has never dismissed it as alarm but we only said it was blown or made in such a way that our people became apprehensive to the situation or to the way it was done.
”The embassies have their own responsibilities to their citizens and they can make their advice and the government has not dismissed what has happened because they have also informed us of what they foresee as threats.
“And we on our parts have also looked at what they put as threat as something that has been with us and efforts are being made daily to see they those threats are mitigated or prevented from happening and that is what has been happening in Abuja and all over the country.
“Sometimes, these threats or things happen but nobody has dismissed it as mere alarm and a lot of efforts have been made, like you said to douse tension.”
The I-G added that some arrests had been made in relation to the security threats in the Federal Capital Territory and its surroundings and that the suspects will soon be brought before the courts to answer for their crimes.
“Yes, actually arrests have been made for those, we believe are planning to commit crime in whatever form and we have done that arrest and as at when due.
”Those arrested will be charged to court by any of the services that have them.”
Regarding the upcoming general elections in 2023, Baba urged politicians and all interested parties to work with the police to ensure a peaceful process.
Therefore, he urged all political parties and players to consistently follow the rules and guidelines established to govern the conduct of rallies and campaigns.
”There are laid down means, ways and procedures to do rallies and campaigns.
”On our part, we have gone out to appeal to politicians to play the game by the rules. And at the same time allow us to regulate political processions, campaigns and rallies, to avoid clashes and so forth,” he said.
