Easter: Police, NSCDC beef up security in worship, recreation centres
As the nation joined other countries of the world to mark Good Friday and begin the Easter festivities, security agencies on Friday beefed up security in different parts of the country to forestall unsavoury incidents.
The Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the military, Department of State Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps heightened security surveillance nationwide and deployed key personnel in strategic locations, including worship centres, shopping malls, amusement parks and recreational centres.
The DSS urged Nigerians to remain vigilant throughout the Easter period and advised them to report attempts by criminals to perpetrate crimes during the celebration.
The Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, DSS, Peter Afunanya, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.
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The statement read, “Consequent upon these, everyone is urged to be vigilant and report attempts to breach security to relevant law enforcement agencies. The DSS website www.dss.gov.ng; email address- [email protected] and telephone lines +234915 339 1309; +234 908 837 3514 remain relevant for public guidance.”
Afunanya advised Christians in the country to stay away from illicit drugs, and excessive intake of alcohol, among others.
“Similarly, celebrants are advised to refrain from such behaviours as illicit drugs, and excessive alcoholism as well as reject all forms of bigotry and other social vices during the ceremony. They are, therefore, implored to renew their commitment to the peace, and unity of Nigeria and work towards her inclusiveness,” he stated.
The police spokesperson in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, and her NSCDC counterpart, Olufemi Ayodele, disclosed this in separate statements issued in Port Harcourt on Friday.
The two security agencies extended their felicitations to the good people of the state, particularly Christians, on the occasion of Easter, and urged them to pray for God’s protection and peace in Rivers State.
Iringe-Koko, stated, “The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State Command, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the deployment of officers across the state to ensure maximum security of lives and property during the Easter celebration.
“In his operational order, the CP directed all area commanders, tactical commanders, and divisional police officers to deploy personnel and allocate resources to strategic locations within their areas of responsibility.
“These locations include churches, parks, event centres, as well as entry and exit routes in the state.
“Officers deployed on the highways have been instructed to maintain a high level of vigilance and professionalism while carrying out their duties.
“Religious leaders, traditional leaders, parents, and guardians are advised to caution their children and wards against engaging in unlawful activities during the celebration.”
The state NSCDC Commandant, Basil Igwebueze, assured residents of the state of a peaceful and hitch-free Easter.
Igwebueze said all heads of department, unit heads, area commanders, divisional officers and location supervisors had been directed to ensure the appropriate deployment of personnel in strategic points to forestall any form of criminality before, during and after the celebration.
He said the 2,300 personnel deployed were drawn from various units and departments of the command such as the marine unit, arms squad, counterterrorism unit, anti-vandal unit, intelligence unit, anti-human trafficking and illegal migration unit, among others.
Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it had deployed 2,313 officers and men to tighten security around various worship centres and amusement parks during the Easter celebration.
The state Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara disclosed this in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, on Friday.
The statement was titled, ‘Akwa Ibom CP felicitates with Christian faithful, deploys 2,313 personnel’.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Friday.
According to the statement, the CP directed all area commanders, divisional police officers and commanders of the various tactical teams in the command, “to heighten their visibility across the state, to prevent, combat and at the same time, counter serious and violent crimes during the Easter holiday period and beyond.”
The statement partly read, “The CP noted that the police would focus on special crime awareness and prevention operations as well as targeting crimes common over the celebration.
“He further advised the public to be alert, law-abiding and also be actively instrumental to the policing of their environment and aid the police in the fight against criminality during the Easter period.”
Tinubu, govs’ messages
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu and governors of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Edo, Godwin Obaseki; and Kwara, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq, among others, shared messages of hope and prosperity in separate statements.
Tinubu said as Christians celebrate the victory of life over death, exemplified by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Nigeria would triumph over its challenges.
On his part, Sanwo-Olu urged Christians in the state to reflect on the sacrifice and love that Jesus Christ showed to mankind through his crucifixion and resurrection.
He also urged Lagosians to be peaceful and keep the peace and tranquillity that the state was known for during the Easter festivities.
Sanwo-Olu also advocated that the fall in the dollar rate should also be reflected in the cost of goods in the market as the naira is getting stronger.
The governor stated these on Friday after the combined special prayers for Nigeria and President Bola Tinubu in commemoration of the Easter and Ramadan celebrations at Lagos House, Ikeja, according to a statement by the Special Adviser, Media and Publicity to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile.
Obaseki similarly charged Christians across the country to reflect on the significance of Good Friday by imbibing the virtues of sacrifice, love, tolerance and selflessness.
The governor said in a statement, “I celebrate with our Christian brothers and sisters as we mark Good Friday, a remembrance of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on Calvary for the redemption of mankind.
“I urge everyone to, in the spirit of the season, reflect on the significance of this day by imbibing the virtues of sacrifice, love, tolerance and selflessness.”
Similarly, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, felicitated the Christian faithful and all Nigerians as they celebrate Easter.
She lauded the selfless love of Christ for humanity, urging Nigerians to emulate his virtues and live in peace and love.
Benin monarch
Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, asked God and his ancestors to heal Nigeria during the Easter period.
The prayer was contained in a message of felicitation signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Oba, Osaigbovo Iguobaro, on Friday.
The statement read, “The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has called on God and his ancestors to heal Nigeria during the Easter celebration.
“The royal father also admonishes Christian faithful to be Christ-like and pray ardently to God for forgiveness of sins and ask God to heal the nation”.
The statement read, “Consequent upon these, everyone is urged to be vigilant and report attempts to breach security to relevant law enforcement agencies. The DSS website www.dss.gov.ng; email address- [email protected] and telephone lines +234915 339 1309; +234 908 837 3514 remain relevant for public guidance.”
Afunanya advised Christians in the country to stay away from illicit drugs, and excessive intake of alcohol, among others.
“Similarly, celebrants are advised to refrain from such behaviours as illicit drugs, and excessive alcoholism as well as reject all forms of bigotry and other social vices during the ceremony. They are, therefore, implored to renew their commitment to the peace, and unity of Nigeria and work towards her inclusiveness,” he stated.
He urged Christians to learn from Jesus Christ and apply his attitude in their daily affairs.
Afunanya said, “The Director-General, management and staff of the Department of State Services wish to felicitate the Christian faithful on the celebration of Easter. It also uses this opportunity to call on Nigerians to draw lessons from the forbearance and humility of Jesus Christ and apply the same in their daily affairs.
“The Service reminds them to use the event which illustrates sacrifice and forgiveness to refocus their love for one another, the nation and humanity at large. On this note, citizens are encouraged to adopt self-control, discipline and compassion in their dealings and conduct. The Service enjoins them to eschew bitterness, disloyalty, fake news, hate speech and violence.”Punch
