Following the rising rate of attacks on churches across northern Nigeria in recent weeks, the Nigeria Police have started special deployment to churches in hopes of implementing a new strategy that would effectively tackle the present threat.
The order for the deployment was given to the Command Commissioners of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General on Friday, and sources said it would be backed by police vans, modern communication gadgets and helicopters.
Confirming the development, a police spokesman, Frank Mba, said the order would help the police ?contain and mange? the attacks. However he refused to give specific details
?The new operational order will assist commanders on effective deployment of personnel so that they can repel, contain and manage attacks on places of worship, government buildings and installations,? he said. ?Our men have been placed on the alert even before the Boko Haram threat and we will do everything humanly possible to protect citizens and public facilities.
Meanwhile, sources have disclosed that the order might be related to reports that more than 100 terrorists have infiltrated Jos, increasing tension and fears among residents in the capital city.
Captain Salisu Mustapha, the spokesperson for the Special Task Force on security in Plateau State, confirmed the information. He added that the JTF was taking the threat seriously.
?Yes, we have received such information and we are acting on it. We are mobilizing our men to counter any insurrection,? he said. ?We don?t take any information with a pinch of salt. Every information is evaluated and proper procedure (reaction) taken, and this one is not an exception.?
Also confirming there was risk of bomb attacks in Jos this week, the Plateau state Commissioner of police said: ?This bomb threat is real, very real and I know it because I?m in a position to know as the state commissioner of police.
?We are almost in a state of emergency and everyone is looking for a way of surviving and by the grace of God, very soon everything will be over.?
