To forestall any terrorists attack, ‎the Presidency has ordered that extra security measures be put in place inside Aso Rock. The Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the President, Bashir Abubakar, gave the directive in an internal memo dated January 26, 2016.

He said this was in response to sudden attacks in other parts of the world when terrorists hide inside tinted or hijacked vehicles to hit targets.

Abubakar directed that henceforth, all vehicles entering the Presidential Villa, including those of highly placed persons, must, be throughly checked.

He also said the practice where drivers of cars with tinted glasses refuse to wind down at security checkpoints would no longer be tolerated.

The memo, titled: “Use of tinted cars around the Presidential Villa, Abuja” reads: “It has been observed that some staff of the Presidential Villa driving tinted cars, especially security personnel are in the habit of refusing to wind down their windscreens for security checks before driving into the Villa.

“It is most worrisome that some of them used the excuse of either driving official cars or driving VIPs to justify their acts. This act which is not in tandem with standard security drill and procedure, poses serious threat to the safety and security of the Villa.

“It is important to note that the insistence of security operatives at the pilot gates to properly screen vehicles coming into the Villa whether tinted or not tinted, official or unofficial is not out of place.

“Therefore, there is the need for all to subject themselves and their vehicles to security checks as the case may be, so as to prevent unscrupulous elements from exploring the situation to launch attacks on the Villa. Moreso, that most of the major attacks by terrorist groups on high profile targets around the world are being carried out using hijacked vehicles or vehicles with tinted glasses.

“Heads of units/ departments are to advise personnel working under them to always subject themselves to proper security checks and not take the duties of security personnel for granted,” the memo stated. (Daily Sun)

•Photo shows Aso Rock Villa.

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