Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Adamu, has placed Police Commands and formations nationwide on red alert, following the killing of an Iranian General Qassem Soleimani.
According to Police, this is a proactive measure sequel to an intelligence report that some domestic interests are planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage as a result of the Iranian General’s death.
Frank Mba, the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Force Public Relations Officer, in a statement said consequently, Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General, and Command Commissioners of Police have been directed to ensure maximum surveillance and security of lives and property across the nation.
General Soleimani, the head of Iran’s elite Quds Force, was killed on Friday, January 3, in a drone attack by the United States in Iraq, which set off threats of retaliation from Iran and other groups in the Middle East.
The Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), a faction of the Boko Haram group, showed a video in December in which it claimed to have beheaded 11 Nigerian Christians in revenge for America’s killing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the former IS leader, in a military attack last October in Syria. ISWAP is an affiliate of the IS.
Mba said the Police Commanders have been directed to ensure strategic deployments of both overt and covert Police operatives to ensure adequate security and safety of citizens, foreigners especially diplomats and diplomatic missions domiciled in Nigeria as well as the protection of critical national assets.
He added that the IGP has assured all Nigerians and foreigner residents in Nigeria of adequate security and equally warned all potential troublemakers to steer clear of the streets and territory of Nigeria.
