Yuletide: Military, police tighten security, ban fireworks
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As Christians nationwide celebrate Christmas in two days’ time, the military and police have deployed their operatives across the states, while also banning the use of fireworks during the Yuletide.
It was gathered that the Joint Military Task Force, codenamed Operation Safe Haven, on Friday deployed its men in Plateau and Bauchi states, as well as Southern Kaduna.
The task force said its action was to beef up security in all areas under its jurisdiction as the citizens prepare for the Yuletide.
A statement by the task force’s spokesperson, Major Umar Adams, urged the residents and travellers to go about their normal business during the Yuletide.
Meanwhile, the organisation has described as untrue reports in the social media that that some villages and routes in Southern Kaduna were not safe for travellers.
“We wish to categorically state that there is no threat, crisis or breach of security anywhere around Southern Kaduna. The roads and all the communities are, therefore, safe and free for passage,” the statement read partly.
In a similar manner, the Plateau State Police Command have banned the use of fireworks during the festive period and assured the residents of adequate security.
A statement by the command’s spokesperson, Matthias Tyopev, said the police had deployed patrol vehicles in strategic areas with a view to responding promptly to distress calls from members of the public.
Tyopev said, “We wish to state that there is a ban on the use of fireworks and bangers. This is to avoid all forms of distraction in the execution of the security strategy in place.
“The support of the public is highly solicited to ensure hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations. Parents and guardians are encouraged to advise their children to desist from the use of any form of fireworks before, during and after the Yuletide as any person found flouting the ban would be arrested and prosecuted.”
In a similar development, the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has deployed 350 operatives of the anti-kidnapping squad in Imo State.
Briefing journalists on Friday, the state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, said the officers were expected to combat kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, child trafficking and other crimes during the Yuletide in the state.
Ezike said, “We complained to the IGP about the shortage of manpower in the state and he has deployed five units of the Police Mobile Force. Each unit is made up of 60 men and three officers.
“We have deployed them accordingly to the three area commands in the state, which have equally deployed them to pressure points. This is to ensure that we have a smooth Christmas and New Year celebration.
“The influx of people into the state during the season is too much and we have to show that we have the capacity and capability to police the state. I have increased visibility policing so as to increase the confidence level of our people.”
The CP added that in order to ensure a crime-free Yuletide, he had cancelled all casual and permanent leave of the officers of the command.
Similarly, the Niger State Police Command said on Friday that it had deployed its personnel across the state to ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Peter Sunday, in a statement, also warned all residents to avoid the use of fireworks while celebrating the festive period.
This is also as the Kano State Police Command on Friday said it had reinforced security measures at public places — including motor parks, markets, shopping malls, religious centres and recreational parks — in the state.
In a statement by the command’s spokesperson, Magaji Musa Majiya, the use of fireworks have also been banned during and after the Yuletide.
The statement read, “Both covert and overt operatives have been deployed strategically. Use of fireworks, burning of tyres by youths before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations, are banned.”
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