Nigeria: diplomatic missions assured of maximum security

Nigeria's Foreign Affairs Minister- Olugbenga Ashiru(L) and IG of Police-Hafiz Ringim(R)

Nigeria: diplomatic missions assured of maximum security

Ngozi John-Anigbogu, Abuja

Diplomatic Missions in Nigeria have been assured of the safety of their lives and facilities in Nigeria.

The Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Olugbenga Ashiru, gave the assurance in Abuja on Monday, while briefing the diplomats on the suicide bomb attack against the UN building in Abuja last Friday.

Mr Ashiru, who addressed the diplomats in company of his colleague Ministers of State, Mrs Viola Onwuliri, and Nurudeen Mohammed and the Inspector General of Police, Mr Hafiz Ringim,  said the Nigerian government was committed to ensuring the security of lives, not only the diplomats but also of the citizens.

Maximum protection to all

He said there had been a new diamension to International terrorism and called on the diplomats to join hands with the government to combat the heinous act.

‘’We believe that concerted efforts must be made not just by the Nigerian government but the whole international community for us to combat this new form of terrorism we have the world over. It’s not peculiar to Nigeria, it is happening in other countries.’’

The Minister further stated that the protection of the embassies and foreign missions in Nigeria was of utmost importance to the Nigerian Government.

In the same view, the Inspector-General of Police, Hafiz Ringim, told the diplomats that all the security agencies in the country were concerned about the latest event at the UN Headquarters in Abuja and had been discussing on how security would be beefed up and strengthened to ensure maximum protection of all.

Live no stone

‘’We have assessed the threats not only to this country but the entire region of West Africa. We will go round from mission to mission and discuss what specific assistance as well the presence of security agencies that you will require in order to feel more secured.’’

Nigeria's Police Boss also assured them that all their requests would be attended to within the available resources.

He said some arrests had been made but added that details would be made available by President Goodluck Jonathan.

He explained that the security agencies had been directed to leave no stone unturned in ensuring the security of all in Nigeria.

They will go round the diplomatic missions in Nigeria to discuss effective measures to combat terrorism in the country.

The UN Headquarters in Abuja was bombed on Friday killing twenty three people while some are still in critical condition in hospitals in Abuja.

An Islamic sect known as the Boko Haram, in Nigeria has claimed responsibility for the suicide attack.

Iheanacho/Barth