Sallah: FG declares Monday, Tuesday holidays

Ahead of Eid-el-Kabir celebrations, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps have beefed up security nationwide.

The NSCDC has deployed over 47,000 personnel nationwide to ensure a secure and peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The various state police commands in the country have also deployed personnel to worship centres and highways to ensure a hitch-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration across the country.

This was just as the Federal Government declared Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to mark this year’s Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government, congratulated all Muslim Ummah both at home and in the Diaspora on the occasion.

The minister, in a statement on Friday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Aishetu Ndayako, called on the Muslims to continue to imbibe the spirit of peace, kindness and sacrifice, as exemplified by Prophet Ibrahim.

He also urged them to use the period to pray for unity, prosperity and the stability of our country.

The minister assured that the administration of President Bola Tinubu was committed to safeguarding the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“While wishing the Muslim Ummah a happy Eid-ul-Adha celebration, the Minister advised all Nigerians to take responsibility in the resolve to hand over a prosperous Nigeria to our children,” the statement added.

In a statement issued by Corps spokesperson, Babawale Afolabi, on Friday, NSCDC Commandant, Ahmed Audi, said the deployment of officers for the celebration aims to safeguard critical national assets and infrastructure during the period.

He said the extensive deployment includes all Special Forces, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, Agro Rangers, Mining Marshals, Special Female Squad, SWAT, and other specialised units.

According to him, the teams will conduct round-the-clock surveillance to ensure free movement and mitigate any potential threats.

The statement said, “As part of measures put in place to ensure a peaceful Eid-el-Kabir celebration; the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ahmed Audi has deployed over 47,000 personnel nationwide to provide maximum security coverage and protect all critical national assets and infrastructure before during and after the festive season,” the statement read in part.

Furthermore, the CG instructed all Zonal Commanders and State Commandants to adhere strictly to operational orders, standard operating procedures, and the Corps’ code of conduct.

He also called for all formations to be vigilant, intensifying patrols, surveillance, and intelligence gathering, particularly in identified black spots.

In a related development, the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Shehu Mohammed, has ordered the deployment of over 743 patrol vehicles nationwide to ensure an accident-free Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

Mohammed disclosed this during a press conference in Abuja on Friday, noting that deployment was an Eid-el-Kabir special patrol scheduled to commence on June 14, 2024.

Shehu said, “Over 743 patrol vehicles, 184 administrative vehicles, 92 ambulances, 23 tow trucks and 144 motorbikes are being deployed as part of the patrol logistics.

“Furthermore, reflective jackets, traffic cones, tyre pressure gauges, several extricating machines and digital breathalyzers are part of the tools.” set aside for the special operations.”

He further stated that a total of 23 help areas have been mobilised to ensure prompt removal of obstructions, and rescue operations during the period.

Similarly, the spokesperson for the Osun State police command, SP Yemisi Opalola, in a statement on Thursday, said all area commands and divisions have been directed to provide adequate security in their jurisdiction for the Sallah celebration.

Opalola said that as part of efforts to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebration, the state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abba, has ordered the deployment of operatives to strategic locations and flashpoints.

She said these include highways, worship centres, and all nooks and crannies of the state.

Meanwhile, the Kano State Command of NSCDC has deployed no fewer than 3,168 personnel to cover Eid-El-Kabir celebrations in the state.

This is contained in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Ibrahim Abdullahi, a copy of which was made available to Saturday PUNCH on Friday.

“The State Commandant, Mohammed Lawal Falala, has approved the deployment of 3,168 personnel to cover Eid-el Kabir celebrations in Kano.

“The Officers are to work in liaison and synergy with men of the Nigerian Police, DSS, FRSC, KAROTA etc, in maintaining law and order as well as free flow of traffic before, during and after the festive period,” Abdullahi said.

Also, the Edo State command of the defence corps has deployed 1,210 personnel to ensure maximum security during the Eid-el Kabir celebrations.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Efosa Ogbebor, in a statement on Friday in Benin, said that NSCDC would provide maximum security at various Eid praying grounds, palaces, monuments and recreational centres across the state during the festivities.

He said, “The personnel deployed have been tasked with critical responsibilities of safeguarding national assets and infrastructure, a core mandate of the corps, protection of lives and property and crowd control, amongst others. NSCDC personnel will work in collaboration with other sister agencies.”

Also, the Ogun State arm of the corps has deployed 2,150 operatives to guard praying grounds and critical assets across the state as residents celebrate this year’s Eid-el Kabir.

The Ogun State NSCDC Commandant, David Ojelabi, disclosed this in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the state command, Dyke Ogbonnaya and made available to newsmen in Abeokuta, the state capital.

Ojelabi said that the command has made adequate and concerted efforts to deploy its entire tactical teams, who would cover all major public places across the state during the celebration.

The Commandant said, “I have pronounced and ordered all heads of divisions and area commands to supervise their officers and men for professional and effective security management in collaboration and synergy with all other security agencies in the state.

“Similarly, the State Command’s Special Monitoring Teams will also be moving around the metropolis alongside the ambulance for effective management and control of disasters in and around the state headed by the Command’s Head of Operations for effective security and protection of lives and property in the State before, during and after the festivities.”