With the Eid el Kabir celebration begining Friday with public holidays on that day and Monday, Police Inspector-General, Ibrahim K. Idris, is flooding the country with his officers and men to ensure peace and security.
Last Monday, the Federal Government declared Friday, 1st and Monday 4th September, 2017 as Public Holidays to mark the Muslim festival.
The Minister of Interior, Lt. General Abdulrahman Dambazzau (Rtd.), who made the announcement, urged all Nigerians to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, prosperity and the stability of the country, and assured citizens of their safety in all parts of the country, emphasizing that security agencies have been directed to maintain the peace and protect lives and property.
He condemned in strong terms the prevalence of Hate Speeches in the country and warned that the government would henceforth deal with perpetrators according to the law, while emphasizing that the government would continue to foster peaceful coexistence, national cohesion and stability in its march towards actualizing the full potential of Nigeria.
But a Police statement Wednesday said: “In order to ensure adequate security and guarantee utmost protection of life and property of all Nigerians during the celebration and throughout the public holidays, the Inspector General of Police has directed the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of zonal commands and all the Commissioners of Police in the State Commands to deploy adequate personnel to cover all the Eid-El-KABIR praying grounds, recreation centres, public places, public infrastructures and utilities, and other locations and venues where celebration will take place. They are also to sustain the ongoing raids of criminal hideouts, black spots and other troubled spots throughout the Country.
“The Police mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Units, Explosive Ordinance Department and personnel and of criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department have been deployed to all the locations mentioned above. Sustained surveillance and special attention will be paid to flash/vulnerable points and other identifiable hot spots to prevent criminalities during the Sallah celebration and beyond.
“Similarly, the AIGs and Commissioners of Police are also under strict instruction of the Inspector General of Police, to meet with community elders, religious leaders and opinion leaders to monitor and report to Police the activities of undesirable elements in the society who may want to take advantage of the public holidays to cause mischief and disturb public peace.
“The Nigeria Police Force is confident that with the operational strategies being executed for the Sallah festivities will guarantee a peaceful and hitch free Eid-El-KABIR celebration. The IGP therefore wishes the Muslims faithful and all Nigerians a happy celebration, and implores them to be vigilant and continue to support the Police personnel deployed to prevent crimes in their localities.
“The Inspector General of Police commends the dedication and commitment of officers of the Force in ensuring that security and peace prevail throughout the country.