Abuja not saturated with bombs, say police

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says Abuja is not saturated with bombs.

Muyiwa Adejobi, the NPF spokesperson, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the federal capital territory (FCT)) is “safe and there is no imminent threat”.

“It is surprising and disheartening to read in the news and on social media that bombs are being planted in every area of the federal capital territory, even from some individuals who are presumed to be peace ambassadors and patriotic agents of national unity in Nigeria,” he said. 

“I don’t think it will do our country any good to continually spread such fearful rumours to further create more panic to citizens and residents of the FCT and Nigeria at large.

“We still reiterate that the Federal Capital Territory is safe and there is no imminent threat, neither is the FCT being saturated with bombs as speculated in the news. We, therefore, urge residents of the FCT and Nigerians at large to disregard this fake news which was purportedly sponsored to create fear in our people and heat up the polity.

“We will continue to adopt all effective operational strategies to decimate the activities of non-state actors and other criminal elements in the country.”

On its website on October 23, the United States embassy said the federal capital territory (FCT) stands a high risk of attack.

The alert said terrorists may target government buildings, places of worship, schools and markets.

The US said it would offer reduced services at its embassy in the FCT until further notice, and asked its citizens to avoid all non-essential travel and review security plans.

More so, the UK and Canada had warned their citizens to avoid the FCT due to the “unpredictable” security situation.

However, The Department of State Services (DSS) responded by saying measures are in place to forestall terror attacks, while calling for calm.