Christmas: Security Tightened Nationwide

Military and police authorities yesterday scaled up security measures across the federation to ensure safety of life and property during the Yuletide.  State and local governments also announced measures to ensure that there are no security breaches during the Christmas on Tuesday and the New Year celebrations on January 1, 2012.

To ensure that there are enough men and officers on duty in their respective commands, the military cancelled holidays for its personnel. They also deployed their officials and armoured vehicles to areas tagged black points while check points, were introduced in some states to complement the efforts of the search and rescue team of the police.

In Niger State, the Suleja Local Government Area after an emergency security meeting banned vehicular movement in the council during the Christmas celebration.

Amid this tight security network in the country, some suicide bombers yesterday struck in Kano where they destroyed some telecommunications offices. There was also an explosion at an abandoned textile factory in Kaduna State.

The military, which cited insecurity of life and property, the terrorism menace led by the Boko Haram sect, placed an embargo on holidays for top officers and commanders of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in volatile states.

LEADERSHIP SUNDAY learnt that the order was given by the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim.

A top officer at the Defence Headquarters told our correspondent that “you are aware of the suicide bombing that killed several people including children worshippers at a church in Suleja, Niger State during last Yuletide season and in order to prevent a recurrence, the Chief of Defence Staff has ordered all of us and all the JTF commanders to stay at our posts. There is no holiday for us. He (Admiral Ibrahim) said he would not take any excuse for any breakdown of law and order in any part of the country.”

According to the officer, all annual leave roasters of officers and men have been cancelled and duty roasters for the officers drawn for every department to ensure “nothing is taken for granted. The CDS has seriously warned us that whoever failed in discharging his responsibility would be severely dealt with. So, we are all on duty courtesy of the CDS and that should tell you how he is handling the issue of security of life and property under his watch.”

He said the JTF is present in 34 states of the federation and appealed to the populace to be law abiding and report any suspicious movements to the appropriate quarters.

“There are JTF in virtually all the states to guarantee the security of our people and their property, but the same people we are protecting are expected to assist us in giving out information of those hoodlums in their midst. They should report any suspicious movement to the nearest security agency. If those unscrupulous people strike it is those that are shielding them that would first be the victims of their attacks.’’

The spokesman of the Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Bolaji Koleosho, assured Nigerians and foreigners of adequate security during the festive season.

Source: Leadership