Imminent Boko Haram Attack On Jos, FCT, NPF Realises Mistake, Recants, Says No Cause for Panic |The Source

Obviously realising the mistake it made in allowing a scary Memo from the IGP  to the FCT Commissioner of Police,  which alerted of an imminent Boko Haram attack on the FCT and Jos, Plateau State, to leak, the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has embarked on a damage control.

Not a few people wondered how such a sensitive and scary internal memo not only leaked, but went viral. It caused not a little panic, with many families already planning to flee Abuja and Nigeria. 

But the Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Usman Alkali Baba, from whose office the memo emanated has, in a statement signed by NPF Spokesperson, CP Frank Mba, assured citizens of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Plateau State and other contiguous States, of safety and security as they go about their lawful day-to-day activities. 

According to Mba, “The IGP’s assurance is coming on the heels of the unintended, viral spread of an internal directive issued to the Commissioners of Police in Plateau State and FCT Commands to forestall any likelihood of attack or breach of security by organized criminal elements in their Areas of Responsibilities (AOR).”    

Mba explained that the memo in question was deliberate and a way of being proactive, especially, as it was intelligence-driven.

“The IGP’s directive, which is a deliberate, intelligence-driven and proactive measure, is designed to prepare the law enforcement community for comprehensive response to any threat to lives and property. 

“The IGP noted that the security alert, rather than becoming a source of panic to the citizens, should instead send a message of re-assurance to them about the intelligence depth, capacity and operational preparedness of the Nigeria Police to preemptively deal and contain any threat to public peace and security. The alert does not in any way suggest that an attack is imminent in any of the two States.     

“The Police High Command, therefore, calls for calm, urging citizens to go about their normal activities with renewed sense of vigour, patriotism and vigilance as the Police continue to work with other relevant stakeholders to keep our public space safe.”

But many Nigerians dismiss this assurance as “medicine after death”, and enjoin the IGP to investigate how such a sensitive memo leaked. They, also, say that its leakage has tipped off the Boko Haram sect to either be more prepared and/or calm down now, and strike later.