AN Edgware survivor of the 7/7 terror attacks is urging Londoners not to give in to fear of reprisals following the death of Osama Bin Laden.
The Al-Qaeda leader was shot by US Navy Seals in a walled off compound in the Pakistani town Abbottabad in a top secret operation on Sunday morning.
American President Barack Obama hailed the operation as “justice” for the families of victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks, but the move has also sparked fears of possible reprisals.
Tope Teniola was on the Kings Cross train devastated by a terrorist bomb on July 7, 2005, but survived the blast and recovered from two weeks of crippling fear by engaging with Christianity.
She said: “I try not to live in that fear state because otherwise you can't do anything. It's a fear that can grip you.
“I've kind of overcome that through Christianity, otherwise I'd never have gone back on London Transport again and I just want to remain in that place.
“I would encourage people not to live in fear and to continue but to be vigilant as well. If you do see a suitcase that's been standing around a long time on its own then you do want to tell security.”
Tope says she heard a loud bang as the blast rocked the train she was on and saw black smoke billowing into her carriage and screams coming from the one where the bomb detonated.
Passengers who had been simply strangers sharing a routine journey to work moments earlier were suddenly locked in the same traumatic ordeal and began helping to console each other.
She was led down the tracks to safety but the experience left her traumatised and she says it was only through a greater bond with her religion that she was able to return to normal life.
She said: “I'm obviously pleased that there is some justice but it doesn't resolve the whole matter because this is obviously just one man and there's a group of them still out there.
“I'm sure for the families, especially in America, they'll be feeling a sense of justice. I'm still quite shocked as well, it hasn't sort of sunk in.”
She added: “My prayers go out for this nation always. I'm always praying for the protection of this nation.”
Simon Fisher, a spokesman for the Met, said: “The Met continue to urge the public to remain vigilant and aware and to report any suspicious behaviour which may be terrorist-related to the confidential Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
“The threat level to the UK remains unchanged at Severe, which means that an attack is highly likely. It has been at Severe since January 2010.
“Policing operations and contingency planning remain under constant review and a wide range of overt and covert tactics will continue to be used in London.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here