Police,NSCDC Beef Up Security In UK,US Embassies

The police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have beefed up security around the United States Embassy and British High Commission in Abuja, following reports of possible attack on the embassies.

The head of Iran’s powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was killed in a US drone strike near Baghdad airport on January 3.

His killing sparked tensions between the two countries, with Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei vowing his country would revenge the attack.

Police officers and NSCDC officers were seen around the two missions on Monday with police trucks stationed around the buildings.

One of our correspondents observed that the road beside the British High Commission was partially blocked with a police truck.

The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, placed police commands and formations nationwide on high alert following intelligence report that some “domestic interests” were planning to embark on massive public disturbances and sabotage to protest Soleimani’s killing.

He also directed them to beef up security around embassies.

The US and UK subsequently told their nationals in Nigeria to be security-conscious, advising them to avoid crowds and demonstrations which they said could turn violent.

The UK cited protests by the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, popularly known as Shi’ites, which had often resulted in violent clashes with security forces.

Shi’ites make up the majority of the citizen population in Iran, and the IMN has strong links with the Middle East nation.