SPECIAL TASK FORCE STOPS PROTEST IN NIGERIA OVER THE ISLAMIC FILM SAGA

Against the backdrop of protests in the Muslim world against a recent American-produced ‘anti-Islam’ movie, the federal government yesterday reinforced security at strategic places around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as Muslims observed Friday prayers.
In volatile Jos, the Plateau State capital, Muslim youths trooped to the streets leading to the Zololo Junction immediately the Chief Imam of the Jos Central


Mosque, Sheikh Balarabe Dawud, signalled the end of the Jumaat prayers, around 2.30pm, chanting “Allahu Akbar,” which attracted the attention of the soldiers of the Special Task Force (STF) and other security agencies.
Their action followed the circulation of a text message by the World Association of Muslim Youths (WAMY), directing Muslims to embark on protest yesterday immediately after the Juma’at prayers over the film.
The soldiers told the demonstrating youths to refrain and stop the demonstration and disperse. But the warning was not heeded, forcing the soldiers to shoot sporadically into the air to disperse them.
The presence of heavily armed security agents, especially at the embassies of some countries apparently in response to directives of the Police High Command for adequate security in all embassies and high commissions in Nigeria in the country’s capital.
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar had on Wednesday ordered the security surveillance on Thursday to forestall any violence as  experienced in Libya, Egypt, Sudan among others over the controversial  film.

At the National Mosque, both entrances were fully cordoned off. Also heavily secured were the Diplomatic Drive, adjacent to the Ministry of Defence (MOD); Area 10, where embassies of the US, Ghana, Liberia, China are located and the United Nations (UN) House destroyed by terror attackers on Friday, August 26, last year.
The US embassy in Nigeria on Thursday warned American citizens in Nigeria to be on the alert following threats of attacks on American interests in the country, in the wake of the violence in Libya, Egypt and other countries over ‘anti-Islam’ video.

The emergency message came after militants attacked the US Consulate in Benghazi, killing the US ambassador and three other embassy staff, hours after extremists attacked US embassy in Cairo.
“Extremists may attempt to target US citizens and other westerners in Nigeria, as the situation in Nigeria remains fluid and unpredictable,” the statement said, urging Americans “to consider their personal security.”
A drive around major areas of FCT showed heavy presence of Police armoured personnel carriers with fully armed military and Police personnel. Anti-terrorist squad took strategic positions.

As a result of the heavy security presence, the FCT has witnessed heavy traffic in most parts of the city.
However, the Friday prayers passed peacefully in other “less vulnerable” mosques in places like Area 8, Garki, where Defence Headquarters and Army, Navy and Air Force Headquarters are located.
Some residents described the situation as unfortunate, considering the fact that the country was trying to get out of some security challenges orchestrated by the Boko Haram insurgency.
The STF spokesman in Jos, Captain Salisu Mustapha said there was no casualty recorded, adding that the youths wanted to embark on a large-scale protest after the prayers, which would have been bloody but for the intervention of his men, who were spread all over the town.

“Since the youths refused to disperse on their own after verbal warning, the soldiers decided to shoot into the air, which we call a warning shot,” he said. “No casualty was however recorded in the episode.”
On Wednesday, a group of Muslim faithful staged a protest against the controversial movie in Jos, but the men of the STF brought it to an abrupt end.

The protesters numbering about 60, had gathered around Yan Taya Junction, displaying placards, one of which read, “To hell with America and Israel for insulting the Prophet.”
The demonstrators had said that they were on a peaceful protest because “anyone who has knowledge of Islam knows that it is a peaceful religion,” assuring that there would be no harm to any life or property.