Metro
Threat alerts: Tight security, body scanners return to Abuja churches
Findings Sunday indicate that churches in Abuja have reintroduced body search and scanning of worshippers and bags with electronic scanners in response to the terror alerts issued by some foreign missions last week.
Armed security officers were also seen at many of the worship centres visited by our correspondents on Sunday.
This is even the authorities may ask managers of residential estates to provide information on the inhabitants of their estates.
The development followed the arrest of two suspects at Trademore Estate last Monday amid concerns that many criminals and terror suspects may be using the estates as their operational bases.
At the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Praise Assembly Parish, Karu site, our correspondent spotted an unarmed civil defence officer on the street on patrol.
At the gate of the worship centre were two uniformed church security officers scanning the faithful with handheld scanners.
However, church attendance seemed to be unaffected regardless of the security situation.
The same situation was observed at the Apostolic Faith Church, Utako, where an armed police officer and two private guards manned the gate.
The guards conducted a check on worshippers before they were let into the church premises.
Patience, a parishioner said, “Where else do you expect me to go if I don’t come to church? I opened my shop last week with fear because I had no choice. I just hope that God would save us from this situation.”
Also at the Living Faith Church, Jikwoyi, worshippers trooped in their numbers to attend the Sunday service with the tents completely filled. There was no visible presence of security agencies.
The Celestial Church Christ, Central Cathedral at the Garki area of FCT had an impressive turnout with no security agent present.
Also, at the Apostolic Assembly in Wuse one of our correspondents observed the Church was filled but the private security guards on duty subjected members to a thorough search.
A member of the church said, ‘’As Christians, times like this have been predicted in the Bible and the only thing to do is to seek the face of God. Moreover, the church leadership is not leaving anything to chance.”
The Security Committee of the Federal Capital Territory, in a newly-introduced Code of Conduct, has barred members of FCT vigilante groups operating in communities from using firearms.
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