In a move to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebrations nationwide, the security forces have deployed operatives in Eid prayer grounds, recreation centres, and fun spots across the country.
Additionally, the military has placed troops at operation theatres on red alert just as the acting Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has dispatched thousands of police personnel at strategic points ahead of today’s celebrations.
The deployment came five days after the Department of State Services raised the alarm over an alleged plot by suspected terrorists to attack worship and religious centres during the Eid festivities.
The spokesperson for the Service, Peter Afunanya, had in a statement said the recovery of improvised explosive devices from terrorists in joint operations by the DSS, Nigerian Army and Police laid credence to the planned attack.
He, therefore, urged members of the public, including operators of malls among other public places, to be vigilant and not hesitate to report any suspicious movement to security agencies.
Speaking with journalists on the measures being taken to curtail the reported threat in an interview on Tuesday, the Director of the Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, assured that troops were ever ready to contain any menace to national security.
“Our troops at various theatres of operations are on the alert to curb any security threat,’’ he simply stated.
In a related manner, the IG said he had directed zonal assistant inspectors- general of police and commissioners of police to deploy personnel and equipment to ensure adequate security throughout the Eid-el-Kabir celebration period.
In a statement on Tuesday by the Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, Egbetokun also ordered them to carry out patrols on major highways, flash points, worship, and relaxation centres, among others.
The statement read, “The IGP particularly directed the Zonal AIGs and state command CPs to deploy human and other operational assets to carry out confidence building and crime prevention patrols on major highways, residential and industrial areas, vulnerable points, places of worship, other places of public resort and around all critical national infrastructure devoid of harassment and extortion.
“The Inspector-General of Police, while congratulating the Muslim faithful in the country on the occasion of the year 2023 Eid-el-Kabir celebration, restated that the force would harness all available assets including relevant groups, associations, sectors, and synergise with other security agencies to boost its service delivery and stabilise general security within the nation.”
He, however, warned the personnel deployed for various assignments during the celebration to be disciplined, professional and respect the fundamental rights of the citizens.
Tinubu arrives
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu will observe the Eid at the State House in Ikoyi, Lagos.
The President, who arrived in Lagos on Tuesday after his official and private trips to Paris and London respectively, will join other Muslim faithful to celebrate Eid-el-Kabir today.
A visit by our correspondent on Tuesday to the State House where the President will observe the Eid prayer revealed movements into the area were restricted.
The venue is located on Ribadu Road, behind Dodan Barracks, in the Ikoyi area of Lagos.
Our correspondent’s attempt to gain access to the Mosque on Tuesday was unsuccessful as one of the officials, who did not disclose his name, said only journalists cleared to cover the State House would be granted access.
In line with the IG’s directive, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it has deployed “tactical and intelligence machinery in prayer grounds and recreation centres across the territory.’’
The command also said it had reviewed the security architecture of the territory to ensure the safety of residents during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
In a statement on Tuesday, the command spokesperson, Josephine Adeh disclosed that the police would also conduct stop and search operations, aggressive vehicle and foot patrol as well as raids on dark spots across the FCT.
t read, “The FCT Police Command in preparation for a hitch-free Eid-El-Kabir celebration has re-appraised the security dispositions and deployed adequate human and material resources across the nooks and crannies of the Federal Capital Territory.
“The deployment which comprises all tactical and intelligence machinery of the Command anchored by interagency cooperation is distinguished by strengthened visibility policing at all praying grounds and places of social gatherings, stop and search duty, raids on black spots and uncompleted buildings, highway and border patrol, aggressive vehicle and foot patrol, surveillance and diversion points around praying grounds, which includes: Dantata Bridge and Shema filling station.”
She added that the Commissioner of Police charged all the officers to ensure no detail is overlooked as they discharge their duties in compliance with the Standard Operating Procedures.
Adeh called for vigilance and urged residents to make the best use of the police control room numbers in reporting suspicious activities.
On its part, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 40,000 personnel to provide security across the country ahead of the Eid celebrations.
This was contained in a statement by the NSCDC Director of Public Relations, Olusola Odumosu, on Tuesday in Abuja.
Odumosu disclosed that the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Audi ordered the personnel to ensure proper protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in joint operations with other security agencies.
