Independence Day: IG places police on alert

Independence Day: IG places police on alert

Posted by Sylvester on Monday, September 30, 2013 0

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•Firms up security around malls, beaches, others

Inspector General of Police, IG, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered the immediate deployment of policemen in and around shopping Malls, public parks and beaches across the country.

This followed intelligence reports about plot by some gangs to attack public places and critical national infrastructure ahead of tomorrow’s Independence anniversary celebration.

Policemen are also to be deployed in all highways in the federation, a move intelligence sources said was meant to forestall coordinated attacks in some parts of the country.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, said in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja yesterday that the IG had specifically directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors- General of Police, Command Commissioners, including the Maritime Command to ensure adequate and effective deployment of all operational tools and manpower within their commands.

Mba described the move as part of deliberate and comprehensive efforts by the Force to ensure a hitchfree Independence Day anniversary celebration, adding that the IG had consequently placed officers and men, as well as other special operatives, on red alert nationwide.

He said they were to pay special attention “to shopping malls, public parks and beaches, highways and other critical infrastructure and sensitive areas in order to guarantee the safety and well-being of the citizenry”.

The police assured Nigerians that they would do everything within available resources to discharge their constitutional and statutory responsibilities of providing safe and secure environment for all, particularly during the Independence anniversary.

The IG also congratulated President Goodluck Jonathan even as he saluted the courage and determination of Nigerians to build and sustain a strong, indivisible and virile nation, despite challenges confronting the country.

He, however, urged Nigerians to put their differences aside and courageously continue to support the police in the face of current security challenges confronting the country.

Abubakar urged all well-meaning persons and groups to cooperate with the police by providing useful information, especially with regards to the ongoing fight against terrorism and other forms of crimes and criminalities, for the mutual benefit and collective interest of the citizenry.

Meanwhile, the Association of Police Suppliers and Contractors has called on the Federal Government to increase its funding of the Force in the light of the growing wave of insecurity in the country.