/ 1 October 2011

Nigeria marks Independence Day amid security lockdown

Nigeria marked 51 years of independence on Saturday amid a security lockdown over fears of fresh attacks by an Islamist sect that claimed a recent deadly bombing of United Nations (UN) headquarters in the capital.

President Goodluck Jonathan pledged to secure the country in a broadcast to the nation as security personnel blanketed Abuja where the streets were otherwise mostly deserted.

The government held a ceremony on the grounds of the heavily-guarded presidential villa that included a military parade to mark 51 years of independence from Britain. Prominent Nigerians and diplomats attended.

“My administration will spare no effort in fighting crime, building peace and securing our homeland against internal threats and infiltration by violent groups from outside our borders,” Jonathan said in his broadcast.

There has been mounting speculation over whether the Islamist sect known as Boko Haram has formed links with outside extremist groups such as Al-Qaeda’s north African branch.

“We condemn all acts of violence and declare that such acts of mindless savagery shall not be allowed to define our country. We will not be deterred. Our resolve is strong,” he said.

He said he had put in place a new national security strategy to protect Africa’s most populous nation and largest oil producer but did not provide details.

During last year’s Independence Day events, twin car bombs went off near Eagle Square, the venue where Nigerian officials and foreign dignitaries had gathered, killing at least 12 people.

The main militant group in the oil-producing Niger Delta region, MEND, claimed responsibility for that attack.

A statement this week attributed to MEND threatened another attack at Eagle Square this year but no events were planned for the venue. The same threat was sent out again on Saturday morning.

MEND has mostly been dormant since last year’s Independence Day bombing. Its alleged leader arrested after last year’s attack, Henry Okah, is facing trial in South Africa, where he lives.

On Saturday, some 10 000 police were deployed to secure the capital city while soldiers mounted checkpoints along main roads and guarded government buildings. Vehicles entering major hotels were searched.

The road between Eagle Square and the Hilton hotel, frequented by Nigerian politicians and diplomats, was closed to the public.

Boko Haram has been blamed for scores of shootings and bomb blasts, mainly in the country’s northeast. It claimed responsibility for the August 26 UN bombing in Abuja that killed at least 23 people, one of the deadliest targeting the world body. — AFP