In the present days terror attacks in Nigeria and Africa as a whole, Churches are one of the soft spots that terrorists attack. Scholars will argue that terrorists are mostly interested in soft spots. And despite the listing of churches again among potential targets for attacks by terrorists in Abuja, Nigeria, and the fear the development is generating, places of worship in the Federal Capital Territory will open for services today, Sunday, October 30, 2022. Because Christians will say that fear cannot overcome faith.
However, opening of the churches for services is not without adequate security precautionary measures. Several churches in Abuja have beefed up their internal security structures ahead of today’s services, though no one knows the forms that these attacks will take.
Facts has it that, the United States (US) Embassy in Nigeria started last Sunday to warn and advice citizens of terror attacks in the capital. After the US Embassy warning, the British High Commission issued its own advisory to the staff on movement while also announcing reduced services. Then Canada, Australia, Germany, Bulgaria, Ireland and Denmark, among others, said they were reducing services and will be attending only to critical needs. However, sadly the government of Nigeria that is suppose to protect her citizens seems unaware of the pending terror attack. And the citizens have taken them on on social media.
As a way of a security updates, in another circular released, on Thursday, the US government recommended that its citizens should avoid Nigeria and advised anyone who may decide to travel to the country to keep a low profile and prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. And asked its Embassy non-essential staff to leave Abuja.
As action is expected from the security agencies with immediate effect, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, placed his men on alert nationwide and released emergency numbers to the public. He also rolled out ‘special operations order’ to prevent terror attacks while
OueForumNew1 can report that, worshippers in most churches will be screened before entering church auditoriums today, while an increased number of armed bearing security agents will also be deployed in many churches within FCT towns and outskirts to ensure safety.
It was also gathered that some prominent denominations like the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), the Winners Chapel, the Deeper Christian Life Church, and the Dunamis International Gospel Centre, amongst others, had launched threat assessment exercises to guide them in developing effective security envelopes.
It was confirmed that heavy security personnel have being deployed in other towns too, including Bwari, Kubwa, Suleja, Zuba, Gwagwalada, Kuje, Lugbe and other places, where terror suspects were believed to be hiding.
OneForumNews1
: Terror tension grips Churches, as Red alert is given on Terror attack in Abuja, Nigeria){kind=link}
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