ABUJA (AFP) -Abuja Nigeria’s capital city, already groaning under tight security, again faced threats on Thursday following a US warning that Islamist group Boko Haram may be planning fresh attacks.
Also President Goodluck Jonathan on Thursday declared that security situation in Nigeria is not as gloomy as it is painted and the government “is working very hard and that we’ll bring this under control” as he called on the international community to assist the country with the latest technology to fight the insurgency by the Islamic fundamentalist, Boko Haram.
According to the emergency message to US citizens, hotels frequented by Westerners may be among the targets.
“I’m not scared,” said Charlie Wells, an American checking out of the Sheraton hotel after a three-week business visit.
“It seems the security has been handled very well. I understand there have been threats before that never materialised or were handled. I hope it will be that way again.”
“We are building up our security infrastructure. I can say we are on top of this problem,” Jonathan told a joint news conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin after talks that focused on trade, energy and security issues.
Asked what kind of assistance Germany could provide, he said: “In areas of training manpower and modern equipment. You need superior technology to fight terrorists and we think Germany and others can help us in such areas.
“I can assure the global community, especially investors from Germany, that the government is working very hard to bring this problem under control,” Jonathan said.
“Nigeria is still safe for investment. Nigeria is one country where investment returns are quite high and where we believe in the rule of law.”
With 70 per cent of its population below the age of 35, Nigeria offers a vibrant market for investors, he added.
Merkel said Germany was ready to provide logistics and other support in the fight against Boko Haram.
She also urged Jonathan to provide a better business climate in Nigeria as well as other security challenges such as piracy off its coast.
Jonathan’s delegation to Berlin include, business leaders and state governors.
Among deals signed was one with German Engineering Conglomerate Siemens on producing small and medium-sized turbines in Nigeria for the African market
In Abuja officials said that security has been tight in the capital for months due to the threats posed by the Islamists — and getting around the city has indeed been more complicated than it used to be.
Checkpoints have been mounted on the city’s outskirts, and a security check that had been in place at the gate of Abuja’s airport led to long queues of vehicles and nervous would-be travelers worried about missing their flights.
Entering the grounds of hotels such as the Hilton — the capital’s most prominent and which is frequented by politicians and foreigners — can require patience, with cars being examined by guards wielding bomb-detectors.
“We are constantly in a state of alert for obvious reasons,” said Shola Adeyemo, spokesman for the Transcorp Hilton, as the Abuja hotel is known.
Asked whether the Hilton specifically had received any threat, he said, “obviously there are things you don’t discuss in the public,” adding that security measures were continuously reviewed.
Ayodeji Adesoye, a Nigerian accountant attending a meeting at the Sheraton, said he was disappointed that Nigerian authorities were not the ones issuing warnings instead of foreign embassies.
“It leaves a lot to be desired of our own security operatives if it is US security agencies that will be alerting us of the possible threat of Boko Haram,” he said.
“This information should come from them. They should ensure they protect the lives of the citizens.”
However, Princewill Utchay, a Nigerian guest at the Hilton, was sanguine.
“This is a five-star hotel. They must have their security apparatus on alert,” he said. “There are similar things like this all over the world. I’m sure they are equal to the task.”
Ron Phillips, an American guest at the Hilton, said security issues were a fact of life in many countries.
“Wherever you go in the world, there are risks to be taken,” he said.
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