ISIS strikes: Military, security agencies on red alert

Military and security agencies have been placed on red alert to curtail Boko Haram insurgents, it was learnt yesterday.

The government ordered surveillance nationwide to prevent terror attacks, following the bloodshed in Paris.

Besides soft-targets, such as markets, worship centres and schools, security will be heavy at airports, seaports, military formations, the National Assembly, courts and public institutions.

Although details of the counter-insurgency measures were kept

under wraps last night, sources confirmed that the military and security agencies had been directed to be “far-ahead” of the terrorists.

A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Every nation, including Nigeria, is jolted by the incident in Paris. The military and security agencies have been placed on red alert and mandated to work round the clock to protect every part of the country.

“The government will further  put many proactive measures in place to deny these insurgents any opportunity to attack any place.

“More importantly, we will not stop  the manhunt for the run-away leaders of Boko Haram.”

The Acting Director of Defence Information, Col. Rabe Abubakar, who spoke exclusively with our correspondent last night, said the military was not taking things for  granted in the light of the incident in France.

He said: “What happened in Paris, France shows that terrorism has been internationalised. Therefore, it requires international efforts and cooperation to check this menace.

“We are intensifying security surveillance nationwide, we will not give these terrorists a breathing space.

“We are also not relenting in our search for the fleeing  leaders of these Boko Haram insurgents. With the collaboration of other security agencies, we have been able to arrest some of them.

“So many of the insurgents have been surrendering because there is no hiding place for them again. We will soon give you the exact figures of those who have surrendered.”

Col. Abubakar urged Nigerians to support the military and security agencies in exposing insurgents.

“We plead with Nigerians to be vigilant by giving timely information to the military and security agencies. We should be wary of movements and strange people around us.”