** Fresh Counter-terrorism Strategy in the Offing

** SSS blames Kano bombings on Nigerians’ laxity

The nation’s top security chiefs are reviewing the nation’s counter-terrorism strategies with a view to coming up with a better approach to curtailing the resurgence in terrorist attacks in Northern Nigeria, investigations by THISDAY revealed thursday.

Security sources told THISDAY that their aim was to come up with a new strategy to stem the tide of terrorist attacks, which took another worrisome dimension with Monday’s bombing of a busy motor park in Sabon Gari, Kano, patronised by southern-bound passengers.

Reacting to the incident, the State Security Service (SSS) blamed the bombing of the bus station on poor attention to security by Nigerians while the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) called for restraint to avoid further bloodletting in the country.
On their part, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, urged the federal government to bring those behind Monday’s attacks to justice while Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Orji, urged the Igbos to consider relocating home since it appears that their lives and property are no longer safe in the north.

The sources, who expressed concern over northern leaders’ perceived indifference to the spate of terrorists attacks in their region, which he said was encouraging members of Boko Haram, who are suspected to be behind the fresh onslaught, said the security agencies were on high alert to avoid attacks during the Easter celebration.

In furtherance of the effort to check attacks on targets during the Easter celebration,the source said some black spots had been identified and security would be beefed up in the areas before the celebration.
They said some northern leaders had been placed under surveillance in view of some of the comments they have made to justify the activities of Boko Haram.
They however declined to name those whose activities or utterances have come under the searchlight of the security agencies.

The security sources confirmed that the current security situation in the country was grave and is giving those in charge cause for great concern, adding thesecurity agencies had devised alternative strategiesto combat terror after reviewing recent developments in the country.

When asked what the new strategies were, one source said: “We cannot discuss operational strategy in the newspapers. The terrorists who are less trained don't give out their strategies to you (media) they only give you video of what they want you to use.”

On whether amnesty should be given to the terrorists in the wake of the clamour by northern leaders that President Goodluck Jonathanshould consider it for the Boko Haram members, he said: “That is political; we deal only with security matters.”

THISDAY further learnt that security authorities also deliberated on fallout of the president’s visit to the terror-stricken states of Borno and Yobe and concluded that the resurgence in terrorist attackmight be due to the fact that the terrorists must have believed that they enjoyed the tacit support of northern leaders because of their plea for amnesty for them.

One source added that some northern leaders had been placed under constant surveillance owing to their utterances and to monitor any conduct that might be inimical to national security.

When asked to name some of black spots under their radar during the Easter period, the source said: “Everywhere in the north where the community leaders agree to harbour them is dangerous.”

On the new targets by terrorists, which include motor parks and schools, the source said the motor park dimension was worrisome and difficult to control because of the chaotic nature of the area, adding that what it requires is more increased surveillance and alertness from both the people and security personnel.

“Only terrorists want to die; no passenger, driver or park worker wants to die, hence the need for vigilance,” he added.

However, the SSS yesterday blamed Monday’s suicide bomb attacks on the motor park in Kano on Nigerians whom it accused of treating the issue of security with levity.
SSS Deputy Director of Publicity, Mrs. Marilyn Ogar, while responding to questions on a Channels Television programme, rejected the suggestion that there had been a lull in the performance of security operatives in the northern part of the country in view ofthe resurgence in terrorist attacks, especially in Kano.

Ogar said there was no lull, but “maybe Nigerians became too relaxed because there was a little bit of respite,” in reference to the recent arrests and onslaught the security forces made on hideouts of the Islamic militants.

According to her, the security agencies had taken out the Boko Haram leadership, adding that it was only a rump of the leadership, which she described as “some loose cannons” who are trying to “find their feet and are staging the new attacks.”

http://www.thisdaylive.com

our leaders have failed us woefully - they should pls make it legal for Nigerians to bear arms, that way we can at least make effort to safeguard ourselves!

My advice to all Southern Christians leaving in the volatile states of the North is to come back home. The Government in power is more interested in empowering looters and 2015 elections than protecting innocent lives.

The President himself cannot go to these areas without the escort of huge army and artilleries. Do not believe any security promise from this government. BH have targetted Emir of Kano, IBB, Bauchi's Gov, Borno Gov, Army Generals etc and touching defenceless people is just a piece of cake for them. Please my Igbo people in the North do not allow your live to be used as statistics when the C-in-C is busy looting please come back home when you can.

To God be all the Glory.

1800bc:

After safeguarding yourself, u might as well help urself to intimidate people cos you will then remember that u can also safeguard another person too and be paid...like play like play, u will become a hired thug... Nothing personal o...but na small small e dey start.

So? The guy is right let the government legalise arms and all these nonsense will stop!