Police plan security for churches in Abuja

Churches in the Federal Capital Territory will have full security coverage by the police and other security agencies to forestall a planned attack on worshippers by the Boko Haram sect, which had threatened to bomb churches, cinemas and other crowded places on New Years Day.SATURDAY PUNCHlearnt that many churches had applied for police presence for the cross-over services holding tonight across the Christian worship centres.This was as security agencies foiled a planned demonstration by the Igbo in Madalla, Niger State, who were smarting from the bombing of St. Theresas Catholic Church in which 43 people died last Sunday.Our correspondent, who visited some churches, learnt that the New Years Eve vigil would hold in spite of the Boko Haram threat.Pastor Isaac Kunat of the Dominion Grace Chapel, Durumi, Abuja, said the church had completed the fencing of the premises and restricted movement in and out of the church to one gate as part of its security measures.He said the police had not contacted them on the security arrangement for the cross-over service, but added that he planned to get across the police command on the issue.Kunat said, We have enlightened our security men to watch out for strange movements and we have also procured bomb detectors and scanners to check all those entering the church. Regardless of the security situation in the country, the New Years Eve service will hold.The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Moshood Jimoh, said all the Divisional Police Officers had been directed to provide policemen to all the churches, adding that many churches had applied for security protection.All our men will be deployed in churches and they will have total and comprehensive security coverage from us. The DPOs have been directed to deploy men in the churches across the FCT. Some churches have applied for police protection, but we will deploy men in every church, he said.
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