By Rasheedah Makinde
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the strategic deployment of police personnel and operational assets nationwide to ensure security during the Christmas and New Year celebrations.
The directive, issued as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s festive season security strategy, mandates all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General and State Commissioners of Police to intensify patrols, visibility policing, intelligence-led operations, and community engagement throughout the period.
A statement by the Force spokesman, Mr Benjamin Hundeyin, said specialised units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Special Intervention Squad, Highway Patrol, Marine Police, and the Airwing, have been placed on heightened operational readiness.
“In line with the Force’s proactive security strategy for the festive season, the IGP has directed all Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to intensify patrols, visibility policing, intelligence-led operations, and confidence-building engagements throughout the period”.
Specialized units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Special Intervention Squad, Highway Patrol, Marine Police, and the Airwing, have been placed on heightened operational readiness,” the statement partly read.
Hundeyin said the deployment will cover places of worship, recreational centres, markets, parks, event venues, transport terminals, highways, critical national infrastructure, and other high-density public areas.
“Additional patrol teams and surveillance units have also been activated to cover inter-state routes and major expressways to prevent road-related crimes, traffic disorder, and accidents”.
“The deployed officers have been charged to be firm but courteous in the discharge of their duties,” he added.
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