As Nigerians prepare for the Christmas and New Year festivities, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a massive nationwide deployment of police personnel and operational assets to ensure a safe and peaceful yuletide season.
The directive, issued as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s proactive festive-season security strategy, mandates Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) and State Commissioners of Police (CPs) to intensify patrols, visibility policing, intelligence-led operations, and community confidence-building engagements across their areas of responsibility.
According to the Force, specialised units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Command, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Special Intervention Squad, Highway Patrol, Marine Police, and the Air Wing, have been placed on heightened operational readiness throughout the yuletide period.
The nationwide deployment will focus on places of worship, recreational centres, markets, parks, event venues, transport terminals, highways, critical national infrastructure, and other high-density public areas to deter crime and maintain public order.
Additional patrol and surveillance teams have also been activated along inter-state routes and major expressways to curb road-related crimes, traffic congestion, and accidents during the festive rush.
The Inspector-General further directed all police commands to sustain raids on identified blackspots, forests, criminal hideouts, and flashpoints, while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders to ensure comprehensive security coverage nationwide.
Police officers deployed for the operation have been instructed to remain firm, professional, and courteous in the discharge of their duties.
While wishing Nigerians a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, the IGP urged citizens to remain vigilant, celebrate responsibly, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through designated emergency channels.
About the Author
