Nigeria tightens security after US Embassy attacks

Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar

Obama: justice will be done

NIGERIA rose yesterday to the likely security challenges thrown up by  violent demonstrations in some parts of the world sparked by a United States film believed to have been religiously offensive. 

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, ordered tight security around police formations, embassies and foreign missions. 

Deputy Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba said yesterday in a statement: “Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Dahiru Abubakar, has placed all police formations across the federation on red alert.  In this regard, the IGP has directed all zonal AIGs and Command Commissioners of Police to ensure a 24-hour water-tight security in and around all Embassies and Foreign Missions in Nigeria as well as other vulnerable targets.  

 “In addition, the AIG in charge of Intelligence and Commissioners of Police in charge of the various Police Special Squads, such as the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Special Protection Unit (SPU) have been directed to ensure that their personnel are strategically deployed  to prevent and nip all potential crises in the bud.   

“While assuring law abiding citizens of the readiness and capacity of the Nigeria Police to provide adequate security for life and property, the IGP warned potential trouble makers to stay off the streets of Nigeria as the nation’s security agencies will bring to bear the full weight of the law on all laws breakers. 

  “The IGP also advised parents and guardians to monitor their wards closely to protect them from negative influences of mischief makers who may want to lure them into criminal and unwholesome acts.”

The UN Security Council condemned the killing of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff.

Ambassador Christopher Stevens and the others were killed in an attack by unidentified armed men.

The Security Council’s condemnation was read by Ambassador Peter Wittig, the President of the Security Council during the Council session at the UN Headquarters in New York.

“I am sure that I speak for all of us in strongly condemning the killing of the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and three other embassy staff and expressing our heartfelt condolences to our U.S. colleagues here and to the families and loved ones of the victims,” he said.

The attackers  stormed the grounds of the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi overnight, angered by a video produced in the U.S., which was said to have insulted the Prophet Muhammad.

The United States said it was taking measures to protect its citizens worldwide.

In Libya, witnesses say members of a radical Islamist group, Ansar al-Sharia, protested near the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, where NATO jets established no-fly zones last year to halt ground attacks from then-Libyan strongman Moammar Gadhafi.

The group then clashed with security forces in the city, blocking roads leading to the consulate, witnesses said.

The US Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, said in a statement.

“Our hearts go out to all their families and colleagues,” Clinton said.

“All the Americans we lost in yesterday’s attacks made the ultimate sacrifice. We condemn this vicious and violent attack that took their lives, which they had committed to helping the Libyan people reach for a better future,” she added.

In an earlier statement, Clinton said she condemned the attack on the U.S. facilities “in the strongest terms” and that following Tuesday’s events, the U.S. government was “working with partner countries around the world to protect our personnel, our missions and American citizens worldwide.”

Libya’s General National Congress also condemned the attack in Benghazi, saying it “led to the regrettable injury and death of a number of individuals.” Lawmakers said in a statement Tuesday night that they were investigating.

President Barack Obama, delivering a statement in the Rose Garden, with Mrs Clinton at his side, said: “The United States condemns in the strongest terms this outrageous and shocking attack.” He said the US was working with the Libyan government to bring the attackers to justice.”Make no mistake, justice will be done,” Obama said, pausing slightly to underscore the declaration.

The President said Ambassador Stevens had played a crucial role in the liberation of Libya and that he was an indispensable source of knowledge about what was happening in Benghazi, where he had been posted during the overthrow of Gaddafi.

The President repeats a line from Clinton’s address: “There is absolutely no justification for this type of senseless violence. None.”

United States officials say some 50 Marines are being sent to Libya to reinforce security at U.S. diplomatic facilities.

The Marines are members of an elite group known as a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team, whose role is to respond on short notice to terrorism threats and to reinforce security at U.S. embassies. They operate worldwide.

The officials, who disclosed the plan to send the Marines, spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly.

The Nation