Nigeria at 57: IGP Orders Watertight Security Nationwide

By Dipo Olowookere

As Nigeria celebrates her 57th independence celebration on Sunday, October 1, 2017 (tomorrow), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, has directed that a robust and elaborate security arrangement be implemented to ensure a hitch free and peaceful celebration nationwide.

A statement issued by Force spokesman, Mr Jimoh Moshood, disclosed that to ensure adequate security and guarantee utmost protection of life and property of all Nigerians during the period of the celebration and beyond, the IGP directed Commissioners of Police in all states of the federation and their Supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands to carryout massive deployment of officers and men of the Force comprising conventional police personnel, Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Police Forces, Force Intelligence and Investigation Department for covert and overt operations, the Police Helicopters and Police Marine Gunboats to patrol difficult terrains and riverine areas throughout the country, and the Police Mounted Troops and Dogs section for crowd control and crime prevention at venues of celebration and recreation during the period and beyond.

He said the personnel deployed are under strict instructions to be civil, polite but firm in the discharge of their responsibilities.

They are to pay special attention to places of celebrations, public places and other locations where people will gather to celebrate the independence anniversary.

“Sustained surveillance and proactive crime prevention strategies will be adopted, while the ongoing raids of criminal hideouts, black spots, identified troubled spots and other vulnerable points to remove criminal elements will be continued throughout the period,” the statement said.

Furthermore, the Commissioners of Police in charge of the state commands are directed by the IGP to collaborate with other security and safety agencies and also interface with the community leaders to ensure a successful implementation of security operations for the celebration.

Similarly, Mr Idris has placed all the personnel of the Force on RED ALERT to nip in the bud any attempt by any group under whatsoever guise to cause disturbance of the peace on October 1, 2017 or at any other time.

“Consequently, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of Zonal and State Commands have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to be personally on ground to deploy and supervise Police Personnel on visible police patrols and police presence at strategic locations and other identified flash points within the cities, and along the highways and major roads in all states of the country and FCT to build confidence of safety in the people residing everywhere in the country.

“The Police Commanding Officers are to deploy all intelligence and personnel to make sure that the purported quit notice given to the Igbos in the North as well as the Hausa/Fulanis and Yoruba in the Niger Delta region are not actualized.

“They are also to enforce the law as required to prevent the utterance of hate speech and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement said.

“The Nigeria Police Force therefore wishes to implore parents and guardians, traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leaders, youths groups, politicians and public office holders to prevail on their children and wards, adherents, brethren, followers and supporters to be law abiding and not to allow themselves to be used to cause disturbance of public peace anywhere in the country,” it added.

The police warned that, “The full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group for any unlawful act or attempt to cause disturbance of law and order and public peace in the nation.”

Concluding, the police chief urged Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and demonstrate love, as well as promote harmonious co-existence with fellow Nigerians.