Presidency Knocks Senators Over Impeachment Threat

 

Senators on Wednesday threatened to impeach the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), over the worsening insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and the country at large.

The angry senator, who are in the opposition, gave the President a six-week ultimatum to address the security crisis or face impeachment proceedings.

Opposition senators issued the ultimatum on Wednesday as fears over insecurity in Abuja worsened with the government ordering schools to shut to prevent attacks by terrorists.

The Presidency in a statement by the President’s spokesman, Garba Shehu, described the action of the opposition senators as babyish, advising them to put their time to a better use.

The nation’s capital had been gripped by fear following the attack by suspected terrorists on the elite Presidential Guards Brigade by gunmen along the Bwari-Kubwa road on Sunday in which a captain, lieutenant and six soldiers were killed. Three others were injured in The personnel were on their way to the Bwari campus of the Nigeria Law School which had received a threat when they were ambushed.

Following this development, the security forces Tuesday deployed troops and policemen in strategic locations in the FCT, including helicopters and drones.

Also on Tuesday night, there were reports of sporadic shootings at Dantata Bridge, Airport road and Ministers’ Hill, Maitama, sparking panic among residents.

Similarly, a leaked memo from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps indicating that Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province terrorists were amassing dangerous weapons for massive attacks on Katsina, Lagos, FCT, Kaduna, and Zamfara States, created further fear in Abuja.

The criminals were reported to have acquired high-calibre weapons, including Anti-aircraft guns, General Purpose Machine Guns, among others.

Tension has, however, increased in the city as messages circulated on social media that the terrorists were planning to attack some estates in Gwarimpa, Lokogoma, Maitama, Apo and other high brow areas.

Security guards and residents of estates in the area expressed concern over the poor security in Abuja, saying the government must sit up.

Private security guards at some estates confided in The PUNCH that they were worried about the ominous signs, saying the residents were scared of possible terrorist attacks.

A resident of a popular private estate at Gwarimpa, Charles Kufre, said he was worried about the insecurity in the FCT.

 He said, ‘’The terrorists have occupied the streets of Abuja and we are still playing politics instead of us to shout out. They have issued a threat and those guys would carry out their threats; we have seen this in the past. If they can attack Kuje Medium Custodial Centre, it is only God that can prevent further attacks.”

A Kuje resident, Joshua Friday, said it was worrisome that the nation’s capital which used to be safe had been infiltrated by criminals.

“The entire security situation in the FCT calls for concern. What it means is that Abuja that we used to think is the safest place in the country has been breached. Take a look at these attacks that have happened of recent for yourself,’’ he noted.