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.