Following the terrorist attack on Westgate Shopping Mall in Nairobi, Kenya, security has been beefed up at shopping malls in Lagos, Abuja and Kano.
LEADERSHIP gathered that most of the shopping mall operators and customers are afraid that some terrorist group might try such an attack on the many malls that dot the big cities of Nigeria.
Al Shabab terrorist group based in Somalia has claimed responsibility for the Kenya attack, which has claimed 68 lives with hundreds injured. The group is fighting for an Islamic state in Somalia, and Kenya has led a multinational force to stop it.
At some shopping malls in Abuja, LEADERSHIP saw more security personnel than usual as well as increased surveillance of the surroundings.
Shopping malls like Shoprite at Apo District, Ceddi Plaza and Grand Square, both at the Central Business Area, Abuja, have increased security personnel placed at strategic places to scrutinize prospective customers.
At the popular Shoprite located at Apo District, our correspondent saw over 10 heavily armed soldiers who were at the entrance of the shopping mall searching vehicles and women carrying bags while some policemen also stood around.
The branch manager of Shoprite in Apo District, Mr Samuel Asegiemhe, declined to speak to LEADERSHIP.
"I am not permitted to speak with the press. There is actually nothing I have to say about what the management of the mall is doing to avert such thing because I am not in position to speak. You can speak to our head office in Lagos," he said.
Some customers at the mall told LEADERSHIP that they were happy with the increased security there.
A customer at Shoprite, Mr Martins John, expressed satisfaction at the presence of armed security personnel at the shopping mall which, he said, is a good development following the recent happening in Nairobi, Kenya.
He told LEADERSHIP, "Nobody knows what this world is turning to, because you do not know where you will go to and be safe. With the presence of these armed military men, you feel safe when you are inside the mall. But the question is how long they will keep these military men here to avert any attack. Although we do not pray for such a thing to happen, we are scared. Because, the truth now is that if such dastardly act can take place in Kenya that is close to us, what can we say about Nigeria where the security situation has been questionable for such a long time? We are appealing to operators and managers of plazas and shopping malls not to relent in ensuring proper security because nobody can predict anything."
Another customer at Ceddi Plaza, Ms Chidimma Igwe, said, "When I was asked to stop by a security personnel so that they could check my bag, I was worried because my bag had never been checked before I entered the plaza. I was wondering the reason for such tight security, until I heard about what happened in Kenya.
"It is unfortunate. I like coming here to shop and sometimes relax to enjoy myself. When I came and saw these security guys, I felt safe and I pray they should continue with this security search. I hope this kind of thing does not happen in Nigeria. Our security agencies should please stay at alert because everybody is very scared present
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