Abuja Markets Shut Over Boko Haram’s Bomb Threat

There was a lockdown of markets in Abuja on Tuesday following intelligence reports that they may be bombed by suspected Boko Haram terrorists.

Security agents shut down the three major markets in the city, Wuse, Utako and Garki and combed them with electronic scanners for almost three hours, but nothing suspicious was found in the markets.


We gathered that security agents had got wind of plans by some criminal elements to plant Improvised Explosive Devices in the markets and promptly moved to pre-empt the plot by shutting down the facilities for proper security checks.

Findings showed that the three markets are usually crowded with shoppers and they presented attractive targets to terrorists which security agencies are aware of.

When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Altine Daniel, described the lockdown of the markets as a routine security check.

She said, “It was a routine security check carried out by sweeping the markets by our men to safeguard the people. No bomb scare anywhere in Abuja.”

Also speaking on the development on a television programme, the Director, Defence Information, Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade said every effort was being made to protect the citizenry from terrorist attacks.

He said, “Well every effort must be made. It is only confirming to Nigerians that the security agencies are not sleeping. Like I mentioned earlier, no information would be ignored. We must be satisfied that the threat that led to such a search or such an effort is no more there before we let go of it. The ultimate is the safety of everybody and where there is need to explain the consequence, we will, and may be, we should await that shortly.”

Frontiersnews