Federal Government Tighten Security Nationwide For Sallah

Federal Government Tighten Security Nationwide For Sallah

Posted by Sylvester on Saturday, October 4, 2014 0

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Security agencies in the country have been put on red alert to forestall terrorist activities as Muslims troop out today to celebrate Eid el-Kabir festival.

Prayer grounds and other public places have been put under surveillance by plain-clothed security men, just as enhanced security has been ordered across the country.

According to a source in the office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), apart from 50, 000 officers and men of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) that would be on duty, the police, State Security Service (SSS), the Military Intelligence and other security agencies have been readied to thwart any attempt to breach public peace during the celebrations.

As part of security measures during this period, Saturday Tribune learnt that passes on annual leave for military officers have been put on hold by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshall Alex Badeh.

On Friday, soldiers were seen patrolling strategic places in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and conducting stop-and-search.

The acting Inspector-General of Police, Mr Suleiman Abba, had on Thursday ordered all commanding officers nationwide to provide watertight security before, during and after the celebrations.

Abba specifically directed all zonal Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to take measures to provide adequate security at all key and vulnerable points.

He listed those areas as all places of worship, recreation centres and other public places, adding that this was to enable worshippers perform their religious obligation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the FCT, Mr Wilson Inalegwu, has assured residents of the territory of adequate security during the period.

Inalegwu, who briefed journalists on the command’s preparation for Eid el-Kabir on Thursday, assured that the police would be deployed in all prayer grounds and other public places.

The commissioner assured of increased motorised patrol during the period, and directed all Divisional Police Officers and Area Commanders to mobilise their men to provide adequate security throughout the celebrations.

According to him, a lot of covert operations were ongoing to prevent crime.

He said that the command was collaborating with the FCT authorities to address the use of unpainted taxis in the territory.

In Lagos State, the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, directed all area commanders and Divisional Police Officers to ensure watertight security at public places.

According to its image maker, Kenneth Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, the state police command was leaving no stone unturned to ensure successful celebrations of Eid el-Kabir.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State command, has directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and commanders of all police operational and combat outfits to ensure watertight security during the Sallah celebrations.

“The commissioner directed that adequate attention be paid to places of worship, recreational parks and bus, train and boat terminals. Strategic infrastructure are also to be adequately protected during this period,” he said.

Also, in the spirit of the Sallah celebrations, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has set up mobile courts across the country for instant arrest and prosecution of traffic offenders.

The corps has deployed 18,000 personnel, including regular and special marshals, along the nation’s highways to provide safety and sanity during the celebrations.

Corps Public Education Officer, Stella Uchegbu, spoke with journalists on the special Sallah patrol codenamed, “Operation Eid el-Kabir,” which commenced on September 30 and is to last till October 12.