Sallah: Kwara Police, FRSC, NSCDC deploy 12,000 men

…as IGP orders water-tight security nationwide

*Report moon sighting – Sultan

Ahead Sallah celebration in Ilorin, Kwara State capital, security agencies have deployed 12,000 men to ensure maximum security during the period, National Pilot has authoritatively gathered.

The security agencies spoke to our reporters on their preparedness, saying they are fully-prepared.

There was also beefing up of security most by men of Nigerian Police Force (NPF) around the state capital as well as the Yidi Praying Ground located along Irewolede, Ilorin, our correspondents, report.

On Wednesday, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Solomon Arase ordered commissioners of police in states across the country to provide tight security to places of worship during the Eid-el-Fitr festivities.

This is contained in a statement issued in Abuja on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emmanuel Ojukwu.

It said special attention should be paid to “places of worship, critical public places and other vulnerable points prone to criminal attack.”

The statement sought for renewed collaboration between the police and the general public to ensure the success of the operational strategies adopted to safeguard lives and property of citizens.

It enjoined Muslims and other citizens to be vigilant during the period, and also provide useful information to the police that would prevent crimes and facilitate arrest of criminals.

The statement said the IGP felicitated with Muslims as they rounded off the Ramadan fast.

Speaking with National Pilot, the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Ajayi Okasanmi said: "The command had sent out what we call an operational order that will cover the period of the Sallah celebration. We the police are fully ready to prevent sabotage by militant which of course we don't have in Kwara and also to protect Kwarans."

"We are going to make use of all what we have in our arsenal, all departments in the command will be working, from the information department to Anti robbery and bomb squad. In short all hand will be on deck."

All measures at countering terrorism have been put into place to enable peaceful ceremony, Okasanmi added.

"I am using this medium to tell the people of Kwara to be law abiding, vehicle drivers should avoid driving recklessly and everybody should continue with their daily activities normally as we are here to ensure security," the Police Spokesman, urged.

Similarly, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Kwara State has deployed 5,000 men to ensure accident free Sallah celebrations.

Speaking to National Pilot yesterday at State Sector Command Office, the FRSC Head of Operations, Joshua Adekanye is fully prepared for the celebration and several sensitization and enlightenment programmes have commenced at Churches, Mosques and parks.

Adekanye explained that men to the deployed include Regular Marshals, Special Marshals and Road Safety Clubs for Traffic Control.

He observed that speeding as being major causes of accidents in Kwara, urging road users to stop taking Alcohol while driving and avoid high speeding.

“I want to tell you that we are fully prepared and we have started our special operations since yesterday (Tuesday) and it will end next Tuesday. We have equally deployed our Mobile Courts for the traffic offenders and we have commenced our enlightenment programmes at churches, Mosques and parks as well. We have increased our patrol vehicles,” Adekanye explained.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said about two thousands officers and men would be deployed across the state for the Sallah Celebration.

Speaking with National Pilot, the Spokesperson of the Corps, Oluyemi Andrew said the men were deployed to ensure safety of life and properties during the celebration.

He warned that Kwarans should be law abiding and not to take laws into hands during the festive period.

"About 2000 men has been deployed to maintain peace. Security and order in the State, People should not take law into their hands, also we encourage the public to be law abiding citizens ".

"On behalf of the Commandant, I wish everyone happy Sallah celebration," Andrew said.

The Sultanate Council of Sokoto has provided telephone numbers to report the sighting of the new moon of Shawwal if it is sighted anywhere in the country on July 16.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Chairman, Sultanate Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, Prof. Sambo Wali and distributed to journalists in Sokoto Wednesday.

The numbers are: 0803 715 7100 and 07067146900.