THE ongoing combined security sweep of Boko Haram terrorists who have infiltrated the nation’s capital, Abuja, should not only continue until the last vestige of them is removed from the law-abiding populace, it should also be a regular exercise.

Boko Haram member

We should no longer wait until Western missions in Nigeria issue warnings which are primarily aimed at safeguarding their citizens and other vital interests in Nigeria.

The United States and United Kingdom missions in Nigeria had recently issued alerts that the Islamic terrorists were plotting massive attacks on vital institutions and soft targets (large gatherings of people in places like markets, shopping malls, leisure spots, places of worship, among others) during the Yuletide.

Happily, the Federal Government took this warning seriously and unleashed a massive 500-man security  task force involving the Police, State Security Services (SSS), Army, Navy, Air Force, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Immigrations and Customs.

Their activities have so far yielded over 250 arrests (including 40 foreign nationals from Chad and Niger Republic) especially in the densely-populated suburbs. According to reports, large numbers of dangerous arms and ammunitions were recovered, which confirmed the existence of sinister plots to spill the blood of innocent citizens after about three years of relative peace.

Shockingly, it was discovered that the technological security instruments that helped in ensuring the peace – anti Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) – which had been deployed at the various entry points into the city, had reportedly been withdrawn.

The devices were able to identify vehicles and individuals carrying explosives and banned incendiary materials about 1,000 meters to the various checkpoints. This made it possible for security officials to intercept and neutralise such plots before any damage could be done.

Reports indicate that such devices are now only deployed to protect government buildings and venues where the ruling class and the “high and mighty” congregate.

This is a scandalous development which must be comprehensively probed. We demand that the National Assembly summons officials in charge of the security architecture in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to explain if, and why such should happen.

If found to be true, then we fear that there could still be remnants of Boko Haram sympathisers and collaborators operating at  sensitive heights of our government and security agencies.

We want to know if it is true that less security concern is being shown to areas where large numbers of ordinary Nigerians gather. Whoever is responsible for the perceived deterioration in our security alertness in the FCT and other parts of the country must be severely sanctioned.

We call on the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in securing the lives and property of our people throughout the Christmas and New Year seasons and even beyond.