Don’t Panic Over Heavy Security Deployment, FCTA Tells Residents

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged Abuja residents to go about their normal activities without fear despite the heavy presence of security personnel across strategic locations in the capital territory.

The FCT Director of Security, Adamu Gwary, assured the public that the increased security is part of an ongoing operation targeting criminal elements and maintaining order in the city.

In a telephone interview, Gwary explained that the heightened security measures are connected to “Operation Clean Abuja,” a joint security initiative involving multiple agencies.

“You know, there is this exercise, Operation Clean Abuja. That has been happening for two or three weeks,” Gwary stated.

He further noted that the operation aims to curb the activities of vandals, miscreants, and other environmental violators, with collaboration between security forces and FCTA agencies.

“The deployment you see is connected with that exercise. The personnel are there, even though the FCT task force may not be operational today, as it is a Sunday. But security presence is normal,” he added.

Gwary emphasised that, in addition to the special operation, routine security measures such as stop-and-search patrols are regularly conducted by the police and supported by other agencies.

“Is there any day you will not see police deployment? It is normal now. Apart from the exercise, there is stop-and-search. There is a patrol. Police are doing stop-and-search, and sometimes the military supports them in patrolling the city,” he said.

He said the FCT has been divided into seven sectors for coordinated security operations, ensuring continuous monitoring and rapid response.

The director also mentioned “Operation Swift Abuja,” another joint security effort involving multiple agencies, including the military, DSS, and FCTA departments, such as Development Control and the Social Development Secretariat.

“That movement is part of Operation Swift Abuja, which has been ongoing. It includes other security agencies and FCTA departments tackling issues like illegal street begging and other social vices,” he explained.

He confirmed that the exercise runs 24 hours a day and is expected to last a month, with possible extensions.

There was a heavy military presence at Barger Bridge, usually manned by police and Civil Defence.

Last year at about this time, the security agencies clashed with the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), which carried out the Arba’een movement (trek) at the same point.

IMN members came out last week around Suleja and were contained. There are fears they might have infiltrated Abuja town, hence the deployment. The IMN members mostly come out on Fridays and Sundays.

However, IMN Spokesman Engr Abdullah I Musa said they had concluded their procession for the year.

He said they converged on Wednesday, staged the match and had returned to their homes.

At the time of this report, the Guards Brigade and the Army Headquarters had yet to react to the development officially.