HOURS after about 150 people were killed in the bomb attacks by the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram, in two Northern states, the Federal Government on Monday said there was no cause for alarm.The government in a statement by the National Security Adviser, Gen. Owoye Azazi, described the United States warning of attacks in the Federal Capital Territory as "non-news". Azazi added that the security agencies were up to the task of securing the country. At a joint press conference held by the office of the NSA, the State Security Service and the foreign affairs ministry, in Abuja, the government faulted the US alert and barely stopped short of tagging it alarmist.The US Embassy in a security alert on Sunday had listed Transcorp Hilton, Nicon Luxury and Sheraton, all favourites of diplomats, politicians and the business elite, and some areas in Abuja as possible targets of Boko Haram militants. The embassy had asked its citizens to stay away from the listed places. The US alert had said, "Following the recent Boko Haram, aka Nigerian Taliban, attacks in Borno and Yobe states, the US 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 US Government personnel have been instructed to avoid these locations, and previously scheduled events have been cancelled."But the Federal Government statement urged Nigerians not to be alarmed by the alert.The statement says, "The FG wants to advise members of the public that it would continue to ensure the security of lives and property under its jurisdiction despite the unfortunate events in Maiduguri and Damaturu over the weekend. "The current threat of attack on the three hotels in Abuja is not news, and for over three months the security services have taken pro-active measures to protect the designated critical facilities and others. "Members of the public are by this announcement urged to go about their normal business without fear or hindrance and to be assured that security agencies have emplaced adequate counter- measures to secure lives and property."The Islamic sect on Friday night launched attacks on police stations, churches and mosques in Yobe and Borno states, thus marring the celebration of the Eid-el Kabir.The Director of Public Affairs of the SSS, Ms Marylyn Ogar, who answered questions on behalf of the team, advised the media not to make an issue of the travel warnings issued by the US and, later, Canada. According to her, while it is true that the country has security challenges, such problems are also common to other countries.Ogar said, "We all know that we have several security challenges, it is nothing new. And we all know about the Internet. This all started with a tweet and then somebody mischievously decided to send it out as an e-mail. "(As for) the Americans, we all know that every country wants to show that it cares for its citizens. "Its nothing too strange. It doesnt mean that Nigeria is disintegrating. If Canada has followed suit, there is nothing new to it. "We also have crisis elsewhere and the Nigerian government has got up to say we have to protect our citizens. Is there any nation in the world that does not have challenges' "Even America that is warning its citizens have its own security challenges. It is not beyond the security agencies." Meanwhile, more troops were deployed in Yobe on Monday by the Federal Government. A security source who confided in one of our correspondents disclosed this in Abuja. The source did not disclose the number of troops involved, but it was learnt that the posting would boost the operations of the Joint Task Force in the North-East region. Further investigations revealed that the additional troops might have been moved from 3 Brigade in Kaduna, and other units under Division 1 in Kano. It was learnt that the soldiers deployed were not independent of the JTF. The source in one of the intelligence services said, "Yes, additional troops have been deployed in Yobe State because of the bomb blasts that took the lives of many innocent people. "The troops are being deployed to further strengthen the JTF; they are not independent. The JTF is there and they are to be part of the task force. I think it is a security measure to ensure that this menace is curtailed."
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