Presidency mounts security surveillance on Kaduna, Jos

By Henry UMORU, Abuja
The Federal Government has deployed troops to Kaduna following fears that some people planned to foment trouble in the State.

According to a source yesterday in Abuja, the government took the action to avoid a situation where   religious and ethnic crisis may erupt  in Kaduna and Jos, then escalate to other parts of the North

The source said   that the presidency secretly ordered the deployment troops  to  Kaduna and Plateau states following  Security Reports that some people planned to cause trouble in the two states.

The Presidency, the source said,  acted based on a text message that was circulated in Kaduna intimating the public of plans by some individuals to create religious crisis in the state.

“The GSM text read, “Pls intercede  for Kaduna and the northern states there is a strong threat from some people to wake up in the night and start killing innocent people.

This is not rumours as one of those involved in the plan told me of the plan which was discussed. Please forward to others” (Sic).

It was also learnt that the text had also been obtained by top security personnel in Abuja, and that explained why plans were intensified to mount surveillance over Kaduna and Jos with a view to nipping any possible insurgency in the bud.

There had been reports of arms build up in some sections of the north, just as security operatives had reportedly seized a consignment containing arms and ammunition meant to be delivered in Plateau State

Another reason why the presidency was because of fears that members of Boko Haram had planned   to disrupt the peace in Kaduna state as there were arrangements to attack some strategic places in the state capital during last Sallah break, but for the  quick intervention of the Kaduna State Police Command.

The Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State, Mr. Tambari Yabo Muhammmad had confirmed the planned attack  by the sect at a public function in Kaduna.

Part of the pro_active initiatives by the federal government to keep violence off the streets of Plateau state was recorded lately when the military units in the state put together social activities including a marathon race for the indigenes which cut across ethnic and religious divides.