By Christiana Ekpa
There was a heavy traffic jam at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory FCT, on Monday as security forces and the Sergeant-at-Arms Department began operation-stop-and-search of all the vehicles coming into the National Assembly premises with no exceptions
The exercise ehich began very early in the morning led to long queues of vehicles on the three enterances to the Cinplex
Consequently,the journey from the main enteeance from the Eagle Sauare/ National Secretariat lasted up to 10-25minutes as against the usual 1- 2 minutes
Several Visitors and others without valid idenification cards were turned back from entering the Conplex
The heavy traffic at the Complex was further compiunded by the Variours Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of the Federal Government Who came for the 2023 Budget Defence
Combined team of security forces were strategically positioned within and around the Complex
Following the advisory security threat in the country espcially the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, issed last week by the Embassies of the United State of America and the United Kingdom respectively, the NASS Security Management Committee at the weekend announced new measurements commenced with “a stop and search policy”. the Complex being a a vulnerable target for insurgent attacks.
According to a memo signed by the Director, Administrative, Dr. Tahir Sani, the Committee resolved to adopt several proactive measures in the short and long terms.
The memo explained that “one of such measures is the directive to Security Agencies and the Sergeant-at-Arms Department to ensure that, effective Monday, October 31, 2022, all vehicles coming into the National Assembly premises are thoroughly searched.
“ This entails that, the drivers of the vehicles shall by themselves open the booths of their cars and submit their vehicles to comprehensive checks.
“Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators are by this notice advised to use the Presidential gate, unless they are willing to submit themselves to this stop and search policy.
“While regretting the inconvenience that this policy may cause to our Visitors, Staff, Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators, it is important to state that this measure is due to the exigent demands of our security challenges.”
Recall that the embassies of Denmark, Ireland, Bulgaria, Finland and Germany in Abuja have raised similar alerts following that of the US and UK
Also, the giant construction Company Julius Berger shut down it operations in Abuja while the Mili-million naira Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja had also shut down operations
The United States Mission in Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja issued a security alert over the risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, especially in the Federal Capital Territory.
Following that of the US, more foreign missions in Nigeria have raised security alerts of an impending terrorist attack on the nation’s capital.
