By Adedapo Adesanya
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Usman Alkali Baba, has assured all Nigerians and residents in the country, particularly those who will be travelling or joining friends and relatives in public places for the Christmas and New Year celebrations, of their safety and security during and after the yuletide season.
The IGP similarly reassured those who will be plying roads, waterways, airports, and rail tracks that proactive measures have been put in place to ensure they arrive at their destinations devoid of the activities of rogue individuals and criminal elements.
According to a statement from the force, the IGP has ordered Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Police Command and Commissioners of Police in charge of States, as well as heads of tactical, intelligence, and operational units, to ensure heavy deployments of officers in uniforms on highways, rail lines, waterways, airports and at the various recreational centres within their jurisdictions.
Officers whose jurisdiction includes big cities with heavy traffic gridlocks have been tasked to deploy officers on motorbikes to monitor traffic and prevent traffic robberies.
The IGP has similarly directed that officers should engage in visibility policing by ensuring that those on routine duties are in uniform and their vehicles marked with the names of their Divisions, Commands or Squadrons for proper identification by members of the public.
He said all officers are to ensure strict compliance with standard operating procedures for their specific types of assignments while respect for the fundamental rights of all persons is sacrosanct.
In the communique, the Inspector-General of Police felicitated with the Nigerian Christian community as they celebrate Christmas and urged them to emulate the character of Christ.
He equally wished all Nigerians a prosperous new year 2023 in advance.
Modupe Gbadeyanka