Sudden presence of hijab-clad girls begging in Abuja sparks fears of terrorist attack

altABUJA was thrown into panic yesterday as several hijab-clad young girls and some boys suddenly emerged in the metropolis begging for alms at strategic junctions sparking fears that a terrorist attack was imminent.

 

Of late, Boko Haram has resorted to using hijab-clad girls, some as young as 11 to carry bombs and the presence of the kids sparked fears of an attack.  Most of the girls begging at traffic light junctions were between the ages of seven and 15 and were seen along Kashim Ibrahim Way, Wuse II, at very odd hours of the night.

 

Their presence created a sense of insecurity among residents and commuters who quickly locked up their cars and sped off on sighting the youths. Abuja residents, who themselves have suffered several bombings perpetuated by suspected members of the Boko Haram sect, expressed apprehension about the development.

 

One eyewitness said: “I won't lie to you that I was not terrified because of what has been happening in the northeast and some parts of the northwest where these girls are being used to commit terrorism. At first, I felt like a hostage because of the traffic lights which I had to obey and how they besieged my car and several other cars.

 

"I was at the same time compelled by their innocence to give them money but my survival instinct got the better of me, so I almost jumped the traffic lights.”

 

Wilson Inalegwu, the Federal Capital Territory's Commissioner of Police, acknowledged the sudden influx of street beggars, especially around traffic junctions close to the Turkish International School on Kashim Ibrahim Way, Wuse II. He said that a team of policemen were despatched there to investigate the matter.

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