Friday 2 May 2014

Jonathan shuts down Abuja for WEF over Boko Haram threat


Goodluck Jonathan in Berlin

The closure of government offices and schools is seen as a security measure as it would restrict movement within the territory




President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered a near complete shut down of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja for the three days that the World Economic Forum will last.
The WEF is to hold from May 7-9, 2014.
A statement on Friday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, said all government offices and schools would be shut during the period.
Anyim said in the statement that the closure was to ease traffic in the town while the Forum meets.
The announcement came a few hours after the emergency security meeting summoned by Jonathan after the second bomb explosion in the Nyanya area of the FCT.
The closure of government offices and schools is seen as a security measure as it would restrict movement within the territory.
The leader of the Boko Haram sect, Abubakar Shekau, had in a video televised a forthright ago after the first bomb explosion in Nyanya, said the sect had relocated to Abuja and was set to unleash terror on the city.
Shekau dared Jonathan to come for him.
There has also been concern about the safety of participants at the WEF.
The decision to close the offices and schools in Abuja is regarded as one of such security measures.
Anyim said private companies with large number of staff are encouraged to do same.
The statement by Anyim reads in full: “This is to inform the general public that the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck EbeleJonathan, GCFR, has approved, as part of arrangements for the successful hosting of the World Economic Forum Africa, that all Government Offices and Schools in the Federal Capital Territory, expect those on essential services, are to be closed from Wednesday, 7th to Friday, 9th May, 2014. Private Organisations with large number of staff may also wish to close down.
“​This is to ease the flow of traffic within the city and enable participants carry out their assigned roles and participate actively at the World Economic Forum Africa.”

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