Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters (DHQ), says it is ready to combat the threat of attacks during inauguration and handover ceremonies, come May 29.
Musa Danmadami, the Director of Defence Media Operations, who briefed newsmen in Abuja on Thursday, urged Nigerians who were getting apprehensive over intelligence reports from states in the North showing that terrorists and bandits were planning to unleash attacks on citizens during and after May 29, handover cereminies, not to panic as the armed forces would deal with any such plan at the right time.
According to him, troops are fighting to rid the country of criminal elements in several theatres of operation eliminated 53 terrorists, bandits and kidnappers while 269 terrorist collaborators, oil thieves and criminal herdsmen were arrested within the last fortnight.
DHQ also disclosed that more than 125 persons abducted by criminal elements in different parts of the country were rescued from their abductors by troops after fighting raids on their hideouts and enclaves.
His words,
“As for internal security, the Nigerian Police are the first responders. We provide support when called upon.
“Such threats were issued before elections but elections have come and gone and we ensured elections held in every part of the country. There was also a perceived threat and foreigners were apprehensive but we handled the situation.
“This will not be an exception. The armed forces and intelligence agencies are working round the clock to nip any criminal plan. There is no cause for alarm. Everything is under control. Criminals are being arrested everyday, arms and ammunution are being recovered and arrests are being made, all to contain these criminals.â€