Security beefed up in FCT, states ahead Christmas

Ahead of the Christmas and New Year celebrations, security has been beefed up in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja and many states.

Since the weekend, security agencies across the country have deployed officers with a view to preventing security breaches during the yuletide.

They also called on citizens to be vigilant and be security-conscious during the period.

In the FCT, Police Commissioner Olatunji Disu, yesterday said 3,180 officers were deployed in various worship centres to ensure safety and security of residents during the Christmas celebration and the New Year.

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He said this would enhance visibility at places of worship, event centres and public spaces.

He said the deployed police Rapid Response Squads (RRS) and Tactical Teams would conduct stop-and-search operations as well as implementing both vehicular and foot patrols.

The CP also said the police Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams would conduct security sweeps of essential government and public infrastructures.

He stressed the need for cooperation among the police, religious leaders and owners of recreational facilities to ensure a secure environment.

Kano

The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Salman Dogo Garba, yesterday assured of adequate security arrangements during the festive period.

Speaking during a lecture held at the Police Officers’ Mess Conference Hall, he said the use of fireworks is completely banned, warning against any act or conduct that could cause a breakdown of law and order.

He directed all departmental heads, Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, Tactical Commanders and other Supervising Officers to ensure adequate security at worship centres and recreational facilities, round-the-clock visibility patrols, effective traffic control and widening of intelligence gathering channels ahead of the festive period.

Taraba

A total of 1,600 civil defence officers were yesterday deployed across Taraba State to ensure a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anthony Bitrus, said the Rapid Response Squad, Special Female Squad, Anti- kidnapping Squad and the Operation Safe Jalingo had all been deployed with strict instruction to counter threats to peace and security, and show utmost professionalism all through the period of the celebrations.

He advised those celebrating to be moderate in their celebration and be security conscious and report suspicious persons or activities around them to the nearest security agency.

Delta

The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Olufemi Abaniwonda, yesterday directed that all Area Commanders, DPOs and Tactical Commanders identify and deploy men to all venues of the celebrations and other resort centres to prevent mischief makers from compromising peace and security in the state.

He said: “Massive deployment has also been made to all flash points within the Asaba metropolis which includes Summit Junction, Federal Medical Centre roundabout, Ibusa Junction by Nnebisi Road, Ogbe-Ogonogo Market, Government House gate, Coker Junction, Ezenie/Osadenis roundabout, Airport Junction and the federal college junction by Nnebisi road, Asaba.

Plateau

The Police Command in Plateau State has deployed officers in crisis places like Mangu, Bokkos, Barkin Ladi Riyom and Bassa Local Government Areas.

Police Commissioner Emmanuel Adesina said this was part of the efforts to ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebration in the areas and the state at large.

Imo

The Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma and other service commanders in the state yesterday deployed a joint team of officers, drawn from the police, military, civil defence and the Department of State Security (DSS) for Christmas and New Year operations.

The officers, in collaboration with local vigilantes, are conducting confidence-building patrols, show-of-force, intelligence-led operations and strengthening night patrols to deter criminals and ensure a peaceful festive season.

The CP and other service commanders urged the personnel to uphold professionalism and human rights during operations. They also emphasized the importance of vigilance and proactive measures to prevent security breaches.

He asked the public to report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or the command’s emergency line to help maintain safety throughout the season.

Borno, Niger, Kaduna

Over 3,000 police officers in Borno State have also been deployed to secure churches and other places of worship during the yuletide

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Yusufu, also said there was an arrangement to safeguard the state’s border communities with Chad, Niger and Cameroon.

The Niger State Police Command also ordered a large-scale deployment of police personnel and operational assets to ensure a peaceful holiday season in the state.

The Kaduna State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Abdullahi, said the command had deployed special units, including the Anti-Kidnapping Unit, Anti-Vice Section, CP Monitoring Unit and Operation Fushin Kada, to strategic locations in the state.

Kwara, Oyo, Bauchi, Kogi, Lagos

The NSCDC in Kwara, Lagos, Oyo, Kogi and Bauchi states have also deployed officers and men to protect critical national assets and infrastructure across the state, and ensure the safety of citizens during the yuletide.

By Abubakar Sadiq Isah (Abuja), Joe Nwachukwu (Owerri), Magaji lsa Hunkuyi (Jalingo) & Ado Abubakar Musa (Jos)