Sallah: Security beefed up in public places in FCT

Security operatives at Wuse market

Security measures have been reinforced in some public places and markets in the FCT ahead of the Eid-el Fitri celebrations.

A visit to some of these places in the FCT by NAN on Saturday revealed that corporate and private establishments were leaving nothing to chance as far as security was concerned.

Ebere Okoroafor, one of the managers of the Jabi Motor Park, noted that the park had put elaborate security measures in place to spot suspicious movements in the premises.

Okoroafor said although the authorities in the park are doing their best to make sure that people coming in are properly screened, we cannot be perfect.

Many people are actually coming into the park because of the Sallah celebration.

Some are coming in to send items to their families, while some are travelling to various locations to celebrate with their loved ones, he said.

Okoroafor appealed to the Federal Capital Territory Administration to assist them to stop illegal and indiscriminate parking.

He said this would enable the appropriate authorities concentrate on proper monitoring of the approved parking slots.

We have also written to Utako Police Station, Vehicle Inspection Officer (VIO) and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) for assistance on this very issue, he said.

He advised members of the public to avoid patronising such parks as they were not secured to ensure a hitch free Sallah celebration.

Mrs Aisha Abdullahi, a customer at the Garki Modern market, said she came to the market because she was sure the place was safe.

After the bombing of some places in the FCT, the market authorities have seriously improved in the area security.

Cars parked indiscriminately are being evacuated while bags and goods of people coming in and out of the market are now screened.

You can also see that the market authority had even evacuated some long parked vehicles around the market to make sure they will not be found wanting in any way, she said.

A trader at Wuse market, Mr Obinna Ikeji, who sells foodstuff, said that the patronage had been very low compared to what they had during the Sallah celebration in 2013.

Last year is better off; people are even scared of coming to the market because of fear of the unknown.

But the market authorities and individuals are very vigilant, he said.

At the Wuse market, NAN observed that cars and people coming into the market had to undergo proper checks. At the Area 1 Shopping Complex, individuals are also being screened properly both at the entrance and the exit points.