Security
agents roll out measures to ensure hitch-free celebrations in Plateau
To ensure
crime-free Christmas and New Year festivities in Imo State, the Inspector
General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Idris, has created five special units and
deployed 63 officers to each unit.
This brings
the total number to 615 officers to man the units. Out of the number, each unit
has 60 men and three officers.Also, the Commissioner of Police, Chris Okey
Ezike, has directed that no officer of the command should either proceed on
annual or casual leave during the period.
Ezike, who
disclosed this while briefing journalists at the police headquarters in Owerri,
noted that his men were combatant ready to ensure that crime fighting was taken
to all the 644 autonomous communities in the state during the season.He urged
the people to be vigilant and use the phone numbers of the area commands in the
Okigwe, Owerri and Orlu zones to report any crime.He sought the cooperation of
all in crime fighting.
Meanwhile,
worshippers in Plateau State have been advised to go to Church on time to
enable security operatives to conduct screening before service commences.Also,
drivers and commuters should avoid carrying any form of weapon to Church, as
anyone caught will be arrested.
Spokesman of
Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), Major Adam Umar, who gave the warnings in a
statement at the weekend, also warned drivers to avoid vehicle over-loading and
reckless driving as it poses threat to lives and offenders would be detained
until after the celebration.
“All
religious leaders and citizens are encouraged to preach peace and unity and
avoid hate-speeches. Use of Keke and motorcycles is banned on Monday, December
25 and Tuesday, December 26, 2017, as well as January 1, 2018. Firecrackers are
banned as users risk being arrested.“A show of force to build public confidence
is to be conducted on Sunday, December 24 and Sunday, December 31, 2017. And
the public is encouraged not to panic. No form of demonstration is allowed
throughout the Yuletide period.
“People
should report all suspicious persons and activities to the nearest OPSH
location or police station.“In case of any emergency, citizens are advised to
call the following numbers: 08021212139, 08149000091, 08090498333,
08074633336,” the statement reads.The OPSH also said that its attention has
been drawn to a false and malicious report on social media that some villages
and routes in Southern Kaduna were not safe for passage.
“This rumour
is being spread by faceless crisis merchants who only trend when they cause
unnecessary panic among Nigerians. 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 around Southern Kaduna are, therefore, safe and free
for passage. We urge residents, travellers and other law-abiding Nigerians to
go about their normal daily activities, as they should be rest assured of
security, especially during the Yuletide season.
We have
beefed up adequate security in all areas under our command in accordance with
international best practices to meet up any unforeseen circumstance. We,
therefore, call on the general public to ignore the message in its entirety,”
it added.
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