Go Home Early, Avoid Travels, Restaurants, Bars, Nigeria’s Central Bank Security Department Writes Staff Over Threats, Insecurity

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a security advisory
entailing guidelines on how to protect themselves and their
families following a letter to the staff by the Security Services
Department.

The letter with the subject ‘Security Advisory’ written for the
CBN staff, dated April 28, 2021 was from the Director of Security
Services Department with reference number
SSD/BSO/INT/UCD/01/072.

The internal memo was for all staff members of the bank.

The letter read, “We write to inform all staff to take note of
the elevated security alert condition around the country and of the
need to take special care in their day-to-day activities. Security
intelligence reports have informed of plan by undesirable elements
to infiltrate various parts of the country particularly state
capitals and FCT with the intention to perpetrate crimes of
abduction and kidnapping for ransom or as recruited for
terrorism.

“It is strongly suspected that these activities are likely to be
carried out in the evenings and at night. It is in the light of the
foregoing that all staff are advised to take note as follows:
Exhibit extra caution while at home, en route work or other
locations being more observant of activities suggestive of abnormal
happenings as to avoid falling victim.

“Limit all social engagements to those that are absolutely
necessary.

“Retire home immediately after office hours and taking special
care to ensure that homes are sufficiently secured by way of
reinforced doors ad locks.

“Avoid public drinking places and restaurants after hours.

“Maintain very low profile and remain as inconspicuous as
possible.

“Branches to close on official schedule times to enable staff
leave for their homes.

“Avoid travels (air or road) except absolutely necessary and
contact heads of security at the location of travel for additional
advisory

“Keep contact numbers or relevant security agencies within reach
for you and other family members.”

Similarly on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior directed the
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to work with other
security agencies to deploy its operatives to airports nationwide
over the looming security threats received through
intelligence.

The ministry in a memo dated April 15 and obtained by
SaharaReporters gave this directive to the NSCDC
Comptroller-General who has been instructed to liaise with other
security agencies to quell the threats.

Information about security threats around airports nationwide
came through intelligence from the Office of the National Security
Adviser and it was shared to the ministry.

The Ministry of Interior through its Joint Services department
wrote the letter, dated April 15, to the CG, titled, “Re: Looming
Threat of Attack on Nation’s airports.”

It was signed by the Director of the department, P.O. Egbodo, on
behalf of the minister.

The memo reads, “I am directed to forward herewith a letter from
the Office of the National Security Adviser with Ref No. NSA/366/S
dated April 6, 2021, on the above subject and to request you liaise
and partner with all airports management nationwide and other
stakeholders to upgrade the existing security measures around the
nation’s airports in the interim to prevent such threats. Please
accept the assurances of the warm regards of the minister.”

The Federal Government had on April 12 first raised the alarm
over planned attacks on some major airports across the
federation.

The Ministry of Aviation, in a memo to airport security chiefs,
stated that criminals were planning to strike gateways in Lagos,
Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and Kano.

The Central Bank of Nigeria has issued a security advisory
entailing guidelines on how to protect themselves and their
families following a letter to the staff by the Security Services
Department.

The letter with the subject ‘Security Advisory’ written for the
CBN staff, dated April 28, 2021 was from the Director of Security
Services Department with reference number
SSD/BSO/INT/UCD/01/072.

The internal memo was for all staff members of the bank.

The letter read, “We write to inform all staff to take note of
the elevated security alert condition around the country and of the
need to take special care in their day-to-day activities. Security
intelligence reports have informed of plan by undesirable elements
to infiltrate various parts of the country particularly state
capitals and FCT with the intention to perpetrate crimes of
abduction and kidnapping for ransom or as recruited for
terrorism.

“It is strongly suspected that these activities are likely to be
carried out in the evenings and at night. It is in the light of the
foregoing that all staff are advised to take note as follows:
Exhibit extra caution while at home, en route work or other
locations being more observant of activities suggestive of abnormal
happenings as to avoid falling victim.

“Limit all social engagements to those that are absolutely
necessary.

“Retire home immediately after office hours and taking special
care to ensure that homes are sufficiently secured by way of
reinforced doors ad locks.

“Avoid public drinking places and restaurants after hours.

“Maintain very low profile and remain as inconspicuous as
possible.

“Branches to close on official schedule times to enable staff
leave for their homes.

“Avoid travels (air or road) except absolutely necessary and
contact heads of security at the location of travel for additional
advisory

“Keep contact numbers or relevant security agencies within reach
for you and other family members.”

Similarly on Wednesday, the Ministry of Interior directed the
Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to work with other
security agencies to deploy its operatives to airports nationwide
over the looming security threats received through
intelligence.

The ministry in a memo dated April 15 and obtained by
SaharaReporters gave this directive to the NSCDC
Comptroller-General who has been instructed to liaise with other
security agencies to quell the threats.

Information about security threats around airports nationwide
came through intelligence from the Office of the National Security
Adviser and it was shared to the ministry.

The Ministry of Interior through its Joint Services department
wrote the letter, dated April 15, to the CG, titled, “Re: Looming
Threat of Attack on Nation’s airports.”

It was signed by the Director of the department, P.O. Egbodo, on
behalf of the minister.

The memo reads, “I am directed to forward herewith a letter from
the Office of the National Security Adviser with Ref No. NSA/366/S
dated April 6, 2021, on the above subject and to request you liaise
and partner with all airports management nationwide and other
stakeholders to upgrade the existing security measures around the
nation’s airports in the interim to prevent such threats. Please
accept the assurances of the warm regards of the minister.”

The Federal Government had on April 12 first raised the alarm
over planned attacks on some major airports across the
federation.

The Ministry of Aviation, in a memo to airport security chiefs,
stated that criminals were planning to strike gateways in Lagos,
Abuja, Kaduna, Maiduguri, Sokoto, and Kano.