Suspected terrorists on Sunday attacked personnel of the presidential guards brigade while on patrol in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
Following the development, the federal government ordered closure of the Federal Government College Kwali, located in Kwali Area Council of the FCT to forestall a repeat of the Chibok incident.
Daily Trust quoted ‘credible sources’ as confirming that a captain and two soldiers were killed in the attack.
It was also gathered that other soldiers wounded in the attack were taken to the 7 Guards Medical centre for treatment.
The signal message on the attack reads: “Troops on routine patrol along Kubwa-Bwari were ambushed by suspected terrorists. Three soldiers were injured during the attack. The soldiers have been evacuated for medical attention. Details on the extent of their injuries are still under confirmation. The ambush attack happening within the general area of Bwari shows that the terrorists are actually within the location and possibly preparing to carry out their plans to attack the law school in Bwari as earlier reported.”
Also confirming the incident, the assistant the director, army public relations, guards brigade, Capt Godfrey Abakpa said: “They were attacked and the attack was successfully repelled. We had a few wounded in action and they have been taken to the hospital and receiving treatments.
“At the moment, our troops are still combing the general area to get rid of the criminals that have been threatening the general area.”
He advised the Abuja residents go about their lawful businesses and “keep cooperating with us by giving us timely information to enable us to win the fight against the criminals.”
It was earlier gathered that while responding to potential terror attacks in the FCT following a security alert by the FCT command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that the insurgents were planning to attack schools, churches and public infrastructure, the brigade of guards had deployed troops at the entry and exit points in Abuja, for a more effective security of the seat of power, with soldiers intensifying stop and search operations at increased checkpoints.
Consequent upon the attack and threat, the federal government ordered the closure of FCCG, Kwali.
The minister of education, Mr. Adamu Adamu, in a statement yesterday directed the immediate closure of the school as well as evacuation of the students.
The directive was contained in a statement entitled ‘FG orders closure of FGC Kwali, security beef-up in unity colleges’ and issued by the director of press and public relations in the ministry, Mr. Ben Goong.
The statement reads: “The Federal Ministry of Education has ordered the immediate closure of one of its colleges, the Federal Government College Kwali, located in Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
“Education minister, Adamu Adamu, who gave the directive in the early hours of this (Monday) morning, said the closure became necessary following a security breach on Sheda and Lambata villages, suburbs of Kwali Area Council which also threatened FGC Kwali.
“According to the minister, the timely intervention of security agencies saved the situation.’’
The minister also directed that arrangements should be made for the final year students to conclude their NECO examinations.
“The minister has also directed principals of unity colleges across the country to liaise with security agencies within their jurisdictions in order to forestall any security breach in our schools,” Gong added.
Similarly, the FCT education secretariat issued a statement yesterday (Monday), informing parents and guardians that the 2021/2022 academic calendar for FCT schools will end tomorrow (Wednesday).
Also, the FCT Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) advised all Junior Secondary schools to end their examinations tomorrow (today).
However, spokesperson for the FCT police command, Ms Josephine Adeh, said police have no cause to react to the alleged threats, adding that “there is no cause for alarm.
“We did not issue any statement on this. How can I go and react to what I don’t know? Am I working on the education board? As far as the police are concerned, there is no tension and no situation; no panic.
“We have been doing our job, and we do not know where that one is coming from.”
