Eid-el-Kabir Celebration: Kwara police, NSCDC, FRSC, vigilante to deploy 5,900 personnel

By Ahmed Ajikobi
The Police Command in Kwara State, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) are to deploy 5,900 operatives for a hitch- free Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the state.
The police said it had deployed no fewer than 2,000 personnel to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebration across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Mohammad Bagega, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the command, SP Ajayi Okasanmi in Ilorin and made a available to newsmen on Saturday.
Bagega, who assured the people of the state of the Command’s readiness to ensure peace and orderliness during and after the festival said, “In this regard, the command has deployed a total number of 2,000 strong officers and men.
“This is in addition to special tactical units, comprising the Force Animal Branch, Mounted Troop, Police Mobile Force, Anti-Kidnapping, Anti-Cult, Explosive Ordinance Department and Men of the Command’s Intelligence Unit.
“To this end, the good people of Kwara State, especially the Muslim faithful, are advised to enjoy the Sallah Celebration and holidays without any fear of attack or molestation, as both entry and exit points to the state have been sufficiently policed.
“While congratulating Muslim faithful on the Eid-El-Kabir celebration, the command wishes to advise that we should be vigilant and be conscious of happenings around us, report strange faces, movements and activities to the police, using the following police emergency numbers: 08125275046/070-320-69501.
“Criminals are warned of the consequences of their criminality, as the full weight of the law will come to bear on anybody arrested for any act of lawlessness.”
Similarly, the state Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Jonathan Owoade, said the command had deployed 1,500 personnel for hitch-free celebration, adding that 500 special Marshals would be engaged for traffic control for the Sallah period.
“We have also embarked on park to park aggressive and robust public enlightenment apart from the Mega Rally and electronic media awareness,” he disclosed.
The NSCDC in a statement said the state Commandant, Iskil Makinde, has ordered the deployment of 1,000 officers and men of the corps for the festival.
“Both uniformed and plain cloth officers will be deployed to all the locations of critical and national assets, praying grounds, recreation centres, markets, club houses and other identified flash points.
“All the area commanders, divisional and unit heads have been properly briefed and mandated by the state Commandant to ensure a hitch and crime free Sallah celebrations and all criminal minded elements are enjoined to stay away from Kwara State”, the NSCDC spokesman stated.
Also, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria have deployed 1,250 operatives to ensure security during the festive period out of which 150 will be stationed at the Eid prayer ground to keep surveillance for 24 hours.

Meanwhile, the Inspector General of Police (I-G) Mr Usman Baba has ordered security beef up across the country ahead of the 2021 Eid el-Kabir celebration.
The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Mr Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
The I-G called on Commissioners of Police (CPs) across the country and their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) to ensure full compliance to the order.
Baba said the call was to prevent any untoward situation in their Areas of Responsibility (AoR) throughout the festive season and beyond.
He directed the zonal AIGs and CPs nationwide to put in place all necessary security measures to ensure a secure, peaceful and incident free Eid el-Kabir celebration.
He warned that personnel to be deployed must be professional and mindful of the fundamental rights of citizens while discharging their responsibilities with all sense of decorum and alertness.
Baba pledged commitment of the Nigeria Police to sustain its efforts in the fight against crimes and criminality and improve public safety and security across the country.
He congratulated Muslim faithful in the country on the occasion of the 2021 Eid el-Kabir celebration.
The I-G said the force would continue to improve on the recent gains achieved in stabilising security in parts of the country and protecting lives and property of citizens.
Baba enjoined citizens to celebrate and enjoy the Eid el-Kabir in compliance to COVID-19 prevention protocols and security consciousness.

In a related development, Mallam Muhammad Musa Bello, FCT Minister releases dos and don’ts to Imams.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Muhammad Musa Bello has released dos and don’ts to Imams during the Eid-El-Kabir celebrations to curtail the spread of COVID-19.
Bello gave the directives in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Anthony Ogunleye.
Bello told Imams to ensure that sermons are short and prayers do not exceed one hour.
“Following the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations in the FCT; all Eid prayers in the FCT are to be held in the open spaces at Jumaat Mosques as well as the National Eid Ground.