Nigerians marked this years Eid-el Kabir at the weekend amid fears of attacks by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.While the North-East region on Sunday tabulate its human losses in the spate of bombings in Yobe and Borno states on Friday night, the Federal Capital Territory reeled under the threat of a possible attack.Across the states, security was beefed up at the praying grounds.Also in Lagos, many residents became anxious following initial reports by the Associated Press of possible attacks in the countrys commercial capital. But the agency later said that the report was an error, adding in its subsequent bulletin that it was Abuja, and not Lagos, that was the target of a potential attack.In Jos, Plateau State, the streets were deserted even as security agencies prevented Muslims from using the two praying grounds at Gada Biu and Rukuba Road. Some Islamic youths had threatened to resist the ban, hence residents remained indoors in order not to be caught in a crossfire between security agents and protesting youths.The bombings of police stations, churches and mosques in Damaturu, Yobe State and Maiduguri, Borno State, however, affected preparations for the Sallah in most parts of the northern states.The United States, meanwhile, on Sunday raised the alarm that the violent Islamic sect might attack top hotels in the Federal Capital Territory during the Eid-el Kabir festivities.The US alert came even as the spokesman for Boko Haram, Abdul-Qaqa, was quoted on Sunday by Aljazeera as saying that the country should expect more deadly attacks."We will continue attacking Federal Government formations until security forces stop their excesses on our members and vulnerable civilians," the international news television quoted Abul-Qaqa as saying.Boko Haram, in the weekend attacks in Yobe and Borno states, killed over a hundred people. The weekend attacks were the deadliest so far by the sect that has prosecuted a campaign of violence in the North East and the FCT since 2009.The US embassy in an alert to American citizens by its spokesperson, Deb MacLean, listed the hotels that might be the target of Boko Haram bombers as the Transcorp Hilton, Nicon Luxury and Sheraton. These hotels are mainly used by diplomats, top politicians and the business elite.The Embassy said, "Following the recent Boko Haram, aka Nigerian Taliban, attacks in Borno and Yobe states, the U.S. Embassy has received information that Boko Haram may plan to attack several locations and hotels in Abuja, Nigeria, during the Sallah holiday."Potential targets may include the Nicon Luxury, the Sheraton Hotel, and the Transcorp Hilton Hotel."All U.S. Government personnel have been instructed to avoid these locations, and previously scheduled events have been cancelled. American citizens should expect additional police and military checkpoints, additional security, and possible road blocks in Abuja for the foreseeable future."The U.S. government has no additional information regarding the timing of the possible attacks."When our correspondent visited the three hotels on Sunday evening the lobbies were virtually empty.Consequently, the usual tough security checks at their gates were non-existent.On Sunday, our correspondent observed riot policemen and soldiers working with the private security guards at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel gate at about 7.30pm.The same situation was observed at the Sheraton Hotel. About two armed soldiers were on hand, but it was the private security guards that checked car boots.Security was, however, lax at the Nicon Luxury as only one policeman and the hotels security guards manned the gate. Our correspondent who drove in was not checked, neither was his car scanned unlike the case in other hotels visited.At the Transcorp hotel, a senior hotel staff who refused to disclose his identities said the hotels spokesman was not available for comments.At the lobby of Nicon Luxury, a member of staff said, "We have taken security precaution to forestall any attack. For instance, we only use one gate, while the second gate is permanently locked."Our security men have been briefed and they are doing their best to safeguard the guests and the hotel." Efforts to get the reaction of State Security Service were unsuccessful as several calls to its Director, Media and Public Relations, Ms Marilyn Ogar, at 9.35pm were not successful.However, at the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation headquarters, gun-wielding soldiers were at alert at its two gates.Spokesman for the Red Cross, Ibrahim Bulama, on Sunday reviewed the death toll in the attacks in Yobe and Borno upwards, putting it at 100. However, the Zonal Coordinator, North East Zone of the National Emergency Management Agency, Alhaji Aliyu Sambo, in an interview with THE PUNCH on Sunday, said the agency was yet to get the official figure of casualties from the Nigeria Police in Damaturu.According to him, before NEMAs arrival at Damaturu, the victims had been taken to hospitals while relatives of some of the dead had taken their corpses for burial in accordance with Islamic injunction.Sambo said, "We do not have the exact figure of the dead. We went to the hospital, but the hospital refused to give us the figure. We were asked to see the police."Since Saturday, we have been trying to get the official figure from the police but we have not been able to get it. "As it is now, we rely on the police to give us the figure but they have not. We still got in touch with them up till today (Sunday) but we are yet to get anything from them." Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI, in his weekly Sunday Abgleus prayer, on Sunday called for an end to the violence in Nigeria."I am following with apprehension the tragic episodes that have taken place in Nigeria over the last days. While I pray for the victims, I invite an end to the violence, which doesnt resolve the problems but increase them, sowing hatred and divisions even amongst the faithful," the Pope said.
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