Terror attacks: FG orders heightened security at hotels, airports, others

Following the terrorist attack on a beach resort in Ivory Coast which claimed the lives of 16 foreign nationals, including tourists, security has been heightened at prominent hotels, shopping malls and other key places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), particularly those frequented by foreign nationals and high-profile Nigerians.
Six gunmen had stormed Cote d’Ivoire beach resort of Grand Bassam and opened fired on tourists, killing 14 civilians and two soldiers while the assailants were also killed. The resort is visited by both locals and foreigners.
By Monday security agencies had beefed up security at hotels and other strategic locations in the FCT to thwart what was described as “any copy-cat” attack.
Security operatives at various hotels, including Transcorp Hilton, Sheraton, NICON Luxury, Bolton White among others, were on the alert for anyone acting suspiciously.
Vehicles entering the facilities were screened by private security guards engaged by the hotels while riot policemen and soldiers watched the development.
Though there was no visible increase in the number of security personnel at the hotels, it was learnt that many undercover operatives had been deployed in strategic parts of the hotels and shopping malls as backup for those in uniform.
It was further learnt that security agencies were paying more attention to intelligence-gathering through which terror attacks could be foiled before they were carried out.
“Though deployment of high number of personnel could deter armed attacks on a target by terrorists, intelligence is the key thing because with intelligence, you can foil any terror attack almost effortlessly.
“If you have been following the utterances of Inspector-General Solomon Arase, he has been harping on intelligence-led policing and that is the basis of every operation now. This is why you hardly see deployment of huge operatives unless it is absolutely necessary,” said a security source.
According to the FCT Commissioner of Police, Wilson Inalegwu, the command has reviewed its strategies for protecting public places, stressing that they have been further strengthened.
“This morning (Monday), the management team met with all area commanders and MOPOL commanders to review our strategies and to strengthen them. We created a unit for hotel security, headed by a senior officer and we have deployed more personnel to secure hotels, entertainment centres, shopping malls and other key and vulnerable spots.
“Above all, we are keeping our ears to the ground and I want to encourage members of the public to report any suspicious person or movement to the nearest police station; all information will be treated with the strictest confidentiality.”
Also, the Federal Government has beefed up security at Nigerian airports and major hotels across the country following Sunday’s attack on tourists in Cote d’Ivoire.