Ahead of this year's Eid-el Kabir festival, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, CP Ogundele Joshua Ayodeji, has directed Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and DPOs to adopt proactiveness through intelligence gathering and raids of blackspots within their areas of responsibility, towards ensuring a seamless and peaceful Sallah celebration.
This directive, according to a press release issued by the command Police Public Relations Officer PPRO, DSP Wasiu Abidoun, and obtained by Newsline, was a sequel to the celebration of Sallah.
He further directed the mobilisation of operational assets, such as anti-riot water cannon, gun trucks, patrol vehicles, and adequate deployment of police personnel for visibility policing, show of force, and stop and search operations at all entry and exit points of the state for watertight security arrangements before, during, and after the festivities.
The commissioner, according to the press release, said this will be in addition to the sufficient deployment of police personnel and other tactical teams such as the police mobile force, counter-terrorism unit, CTU, Explosive Ordinance Disposal, Chemical, Biological, and Nuclear (ECD, CBRN), Tactical Support Team (TST), and anti-kidnapping unit of the command, to Eid grounds, recreation centres, parks, and other strategic public places in the state.
Consequentially, an operation order has been issued to Area commanders, Tactical commanders, and DPOs stating their specific responsibility to provide reliable security coverage at a particular assigned Eid ground with thorough supervision of men deployed for the festivity in accordance with standard operational guidelines.
The command, however, warned members of the public, parents, and guardians to ensure a firm grip on their wards, as the police and other security agencies in the state will not tolerate any act of thuggery or youth restiveness during and after the festive period, adding that anyone found inciting trouble will be arrested and dealt with accordingly.
CP Ogundele Ayodeji further felicitates all Nigerlites and Muslism Ummah on the occasion, which according to him connotes sacrifice, love, help, and tolerance, as he enjoins the followers to abide by its symbolism.
The Niger State Chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has suspended its Secretary, Pastor Raphael Opawoye.
In a press statement made available to newsmen by the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to CAN chairman, Mr. Dan Atori, the secretary was suspended for alleged insubordination and misrepresenting the association, which were against its principles and values.
The suspension letter signed by the state Acting Secretary of the association, Very Revd. Goodseed Ekeleme, read in part: “Since your nomination and confirmation as CAN Secretary, you have consistently acted contrary to our stated guidelines, often acting alone and without authorization from the executive body.
“Over the past year, we have brought to your awareness patterns of behaviour and activities of yourself, which have continued to prove detrimental to the growth of CAN in Niger State and jeopardise our integrity as followers of Jesus Christ.
“You have, however, continued to disregard our efforts and entreat us to act based on our shared call.
“Where you have been given clear instructions regarding specific assignments, you have repeatedly disregarded either verbal or written guidelines, choosing instead your personal interest over the interest of CAN, thereby misrepresenting and jeopardising the common goal and good of the entire CAN. “
The letter also stated that the secretary had severally concealed the truth and exhibited acts of insubordination with total disregard for the constituted authority and with reckless abandon.
While disclosing that the actions of the secretary have reflected negatively on CAN, the religious body said, “After prayerful and careful deliberations, we have decided to suspend you from your role as Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Niger State Chapter, indefinitely with immediate effect.
“You are hereby asked to desist from speaking for or acting on behalf of the Niger State CAN in any capacity, no matter how minuscule”.
Furthermore, the body, while saying it had notified the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, the bloc where the Secretary represents, urged them to send a replacement as soon as possible.
