Boko Haram could target President – Jonathan …says Nigeria under siege

Asked whether Ringim was the target of the attack, he said: “No, it is not just the IG, everybody is a target of terrorist attacks. I don’t want to make reference to what happened in the United States that they were to crash a plane into the White House. So, terrorists will aim at the […]

Asked whether Ringim was the target of the attack, he said: “No, it is not just the IG, everybody is a target of terrorist attacks. I don’t want to make reference to what happened in the United States that they were to crash a plane into the White House. So, terrorists will aim at the top. If they can bomb the President, they will do it.”

 

It was the President’s first reaction 24 hours after a deadly explosion in the morning of Thursday rocked the police headquarters. The police accused the Boko Haram sect as probable culprits. Jonathan urged Nigerians to remain calm and assured that he has been meeting with the heads of the nation’s security forces to address the crisis.

He also commiserated with families of the victims, saying he was optimistic that the nation would overcome the trend which he described as a global phenomenon not peculiar to Nigeria alone. He said, “All over the world, nobody is free.”

Meanwhile, security within the Presidential Villa has been beefed up and visitors to the State House were subjected to thorough search before passing the checkpoints. Security was also tightened yesterday at the National Mosque were the Vice President, Mohammed Namadi Sambo observed his Jumma’a prayers. Security personnel with bomb detectors were seen diverting traffic and controlling access to the mosque.