Jonathan, governors meet to stave off security breach

By Augustine Ehikioya and Vincent Ikuomola Abuja  

 

Dr. Jonathan

US warns citizens of likely protests in Nigeria

President Goodluck Jonathan and governors of the North were meeting last night to stave off a likely spillover of the anti-American protests in some Arab countries.
On the agenda at the Presidential Villa were the Petroleum Industry Bill, flooding and the onshore-offshore dichotonomy, according to Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu, who is also the chairman of the Northern States’ Governors’ Forum.
The meeting rose at about 10:45pm.
Vice President Namadi Sambo also attended.
Only the governors of Taraba and Sokoto states were absent and not represented. The remaining 17 governors in the North, where most people are Muslims, were present.
At the meeting were: Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Idris Wada (Kogi), Seidu Dakingari (Kebbi), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Tanko al-Makura (Nasarrawa), Patrick Yakowa (Kaduna), Jona Jang (Plateau), Isa Yuguda (Bauchi), Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe), Kashim Shettima (Borno), (Bauchi) and Gabriel Suswam (Benue).
Represented by their deputies were:  Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Muritala Nyako (Adamawa), Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe) and Ibrahim Shema (Katsina). 
The United States yesterday put its citizens in Nigeria on the alert, following the protests, which were sparked by an  anti-Islam film produced by an American
The protests intensified yesterday in front of the US Embassy in Yemen and Egypt, following its eruption in Libya’s second largest city, Benghazi on Tuesday. US Ambassador Christopher Stevens and  three embassy officials were killed during the attack on the US Consulate in Benghazi.
Inspector General of Police Mohammed Abubakar on Tuesday issued a red alert and announced deployment of security in embassies and high commissions in Nigeria to forestall possible attacks by fundamentalists.
The US Embassy followed suit yesterday, with a travel warning and alert for US citizens living in Nigeria or visiting. 
The Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens reads: “The U.S. Mission in Nigeria issues this emergency message to update U.S. citizens on the current threat situation in Nigeria.
“The U.S. Mission reminds citizens of the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. Violent and deadly demonstrations and attacks occurred in Cairo, Egypt, and Benghazi, Libya, during the past 24 hours, including a lethal attack against the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi. 
“Extremists may attempt to target U.S citizens and other Westerners in Nigeria. The U.S. Mission in Nigeria strongly urges U.S. citizens in Nigeria to consider their personal security and to keep personal safety in the forefront of their planning.
“Last week, extremists attacked cellular telephone towers in Northern Nigeria, damaging over 30 towers and degrading cellular telephone and internet communications nationwide.
“Additional attacks could further weaken the ability of citizens to communicate through cellular telephones and the internet. Land line telephone communications in Nigeria remain limited. U.S. citizens should attempt to arrange for multiple means of communication during emergencies.
“This year, extremists have attacked many locations in Nigeria, killing and injuring hundreds of people. They have threatened churches, mosques, media houses, police stations, immigration and customs offices, financial institutions, large hotels, shopping malls and markets, state government offices, communications centers, beer gardens, and nightclubs. 
“Attackers have also burned and destroyed several public and private schools in Borno, and targeted several educational institutions in Kano and churches in Plateau, Bauchi, Kaduna, Niger, and Borno states. Additionally, extremists continue to target westerners for abduction. As such, the situation in the country remains fluid and unpredictable.”
The statement warned U.S. citizens to exercise caution and discretion when deciding to attend large functions or visit establishments identified as potential targets. 
Urging its citizens to respond appropriately if they detect suspicious activities, the Embassy said: “Because of ongoing security concerns within the Federal Capital Territory, U.S. citizens should continue to expect heavy traffic congestion, road blocks, and significant police/security force deployments. All U.S. citizens should remain vigilant, pay attention to their surroundings, limit exposure to large crowds, and keep their cellular telephones in close proximity for use in cases of emergency.
“U.S. citizens travelling to or residing in Nigeria are strongly advised to enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). U.S. citizens without Internet access may enroll directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By enrolling, you make it easier for the U.S. Mission in Nigeria to contact you in case of emergency.” 
There was security blanket around the US embassy in Abuja yesterday. It was observed.
Libyan authorities have made four arrests in the investigation into the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi in which the U.S. ambassador and three embassy officials were killed, the deputy interior minister Wanis Sharif said yesterday.
“Four men who are Libyans, are in custody and we are interrogating them because they are suspected of helping instigate the events at the U.S. consulate,” Sharif told Reuters. He gave no more details.
. The attackers were part of a mob blaming America for a film they said insulted the Prophet Mohammad.
American warships were moved closer to Libya yesterday as US drones are set to target suspected killers of the ambassador.
President Barack Obama has vowed to bring to justice those responsible for the Benghazi attack, which U.S. officials said may have been planned in advance. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said Washington had nothing to do with the video, which she called as “disgusting and reprehensible”.
Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said yesterday he backed peaceful protest but not attacks on embassies after Egyptians climbed into the U.S. embassy in Cairo and tore down the American flag.
Highlighting the challenge facing President Morsi, protesters threw stones at police blocking their approach to the fortress-like embassy near Tahrir Square, even as his televised address was broadcast. Police fired tear gas back.
“Expressing opinion, freedom to protest and announcing positions is guaranteed, but without assaulting private or public property, diplomatic missions or embassies,” said Morsi, an Islamist, who is Egypt’s first freely elected president.
Obama told a Spanish-language network that Egypt’s Islamist-led government should not be considered a U.S. ally “but we don’t consider them an enemy.”
Morsi said he spoke to Obama on Thursday. “I affirmed to him the need for deterrent legal measures against those who want to damage relations between peoples, and particularly between the people of Egypt and the people of America,” he said.
In another statement, Morsi said he expects “assurances from the U.S. government to prevent any infringement on the sacred”.

SOURCE: 14 September 2012.