..,…Visitors turned back,Long Queues Surface

There was heavy traffic jam at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, yesterday, as security forces and the Sergeant-at-Arms, the security unit of the National Assembly, began operation stop and search of all vehicles coming into the National Assembly premises.

The exercise began very early in the morning and led to long queues of vehicles on the three major entrance to the Complex

As a result ,the journey from the main entrance from the Eagle Square/ National Secretariat lasted up to 10-25minutes as against the usual 1- 2 minutes

Several Visitors and others without valid identification cards were turned back from entering the Complex

The heavy traffic at the Complex was further compounded by the Various Ministries, Departments and Agencies, MDAs of the Federal Government Who came for the 2023 Budget Defence

Combined team of security forces were strategically positioned within and around the Complex

Following the advisory security threat in the country especially the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, issued last week by the Embassies of the United State of America and the United Kingdom respectively, the NASS Security Management Committee at the weekend announced new measurements commenced with “a stop and search policy”. the Complex being a a vulnerable target for insurgent attacks.

According to a memo signed by the Director, Administrative, Dr. Tahir Sani, the Committee resolved to adopt several proactive measures in the short and long terms.

The memo explained that “one of such measures is the directive to Security Agencies and the Sergeant-at-Arms Department to ensure that, effective Monday, October 31, 2022, all vehicles coming into the National Assembly premises are thoroughly searched.

” This entails that, the drivers of the vehicles shall by themselves open the booths of their cars and submit their vehicles to comprehensive checks.

“Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators are by this notice advised to use the Presidential gate, unless they are willing to submit themselves to this stop and search policy.

“While regretting the inconvenience that this policy may cause to our Visitors, Staff, Honourable Members and Distinguished Senators, it is important to state that this measure is due to the exigent demands of our security challenges.”

Recall that the embassies of Denmark, Ireland, Bulgaria, Finland and Germany in Abuja have raised similar alerts following that of the US and UK

Also, the giant construction Company Julius Berger shut down it operations in Abuja while the Mili-million naira Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja had also shut down operations

The United States Mission in Nigeria on Sunday in Abuja issued a security alert over the risk of terror attacks in Nigeria, especially in the Federal Capital Territory.

Following that of the US, more foreign missions in Nigeria have raised security alerts of an impending terrorist attack on the nation’s capital.

One of the Security Personal told our Correspondent that the exercise would be in force for now till Security in the country improves and urged those with no geniue reason to be at the NASS vicinity to stay off in their own interest

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