By Ahmed Ajikobi
To ensure hitch-free yuletide celebration, no fewer than 11, 147 security men will be deployed across in Ilorin metropolis and other parts of Kwara State.
This was gathered at the weekend when our reporter spoke with various security and traffic agencies on their plans for the Christmas celebration.
Out of the number, the state Police Command will deploy about 4,267 while the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) will post 1,600 to strategic areas in the state.
Also, about 3,000 officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) will be on duty to maintain traffic laws while the Vigilante Group Nigeria (VGN) will deploy 2,100 of its officers to beef up security across the state.
Speaking to our reporter in Ilorin on Saturday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ajayi Okasanmi stated the Commandโs preparedness to ensure security of lives and property during the festive period.
“Intelligence officers would be deployed everywhere within the state while our stand by team will be stationed in all the area commands in case of any emergency,” he added.
Similarly, the state Commandant of the NSCDC, Adeyinka Fasiu, noted that officers will be deployed to several dark spots identified in the state.
He also warned members of the public against the use of fireworks during the festive season, saying anyone caught will be dealt with accordingly.
On his part, the state Sector Commander of Federal Road Safety, Sunday Maku said aside the 3,000 officers that will be deployed to cover the state, 25 vehicles will also be on patrol.
He added that there would be roadside clinics in case ofย ย emergencies.
“There will be roadside clinicsย ย in Omu-Aran, Bode Saadu and Ilorin and I will be supervising all the command under me. The command are Baruten , Bode Saadu, Offa, Erinle, Omu-Aran and others like Idofian, Odo -Owa and Ilorin command.”
Maku assured that the command will collaborate with sister agencies in the state to ensure safety during the yuletide period.
Similarly, the Chief Executive Officer of the Kwara State Road Traffic Management Agency (KWARTMA), Alhaji Babatunde Bello said 180 of his officers have been posted to strategic locations to ensure easy flow of traffic.
He said, โI have already deployed over 180 officers for the festive period and I have been moving aroundย ย to monitor them at their duty post for smooth operation.
โLet me us the opportunity to warn the commuters to abide by traffic rules and regulations.โ
Also speaking, Commander, Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Kwara State command, Saka Ibraheem told our reporter that 500 officers will be deployed within Ilorin and 100 officers in each local government in the state to ensure peaceful celebration.
He, however, warned members ofย ย the public against involvementย ย in acts ofย ย criminality acts during and after the Christmas celebration.
