Panic as soldiers storm Abuja streets...

MANY residents of Abuja were panic-stricken on Monday as heavily armed security men stormed the streets in an apparent effort to thwart the strike of the dreaded Boko Haram sect.

Sources said that the security operatives, who were drafted from the Directorate of Military Intelligence, are members of an elite anti- terrorism squad, which is said to be blossoming in the armed forces.

Some of the security men had their faces covered halfway, imitating the dressing pattern of terrorists.

It was gathered that the massive security lockdown was informed by what was described as “credible intelligence” on possible terror attacks.

For the first time since the Boko Haram conflicts erupted, the elite anti-terrorism squad was deployed to key entry points of the Federal capital on a stop and search mission.

Unlike previous checks, the surveillance was mounted very close to entrances to the city centers such as the City Gate,  Gudu area, AYA junction, Aso Radio entrance, National Assembly quarters,  in Apo,  National stadium areas, among others.

The operatives, heavily armed and in a never-seen-before uniforms conducted checks in areas normally considered to be very close to Wuse and Garki.

Nigerian Tribune checks, however, revealed that the security agencies mounted the operations because of a report of an alleged bomb-laden vehicle which headed to the city centres.

A source within the system told our correspondent that the report, acted upon by the services indicated that an alleged terror cell had infiltrated the capital and can only be tracked down by surveillance

“We have hints, hence the checking. I can say we foiled whatever plot the terrorists may have, at least for today,” the source said.

Besides the military operatives who stormed parts of Abuja, policemen were also deployed on operations around the Northern parts of the city including Mabushi, Jabi/Utako and Kaduna road.

Sources said that the operatives were acting upon directives from the top on the possible plans to attack strategic places in Abuja during the Yuletide.