By Adodo Osewengie
The Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Monday Bala Kurya has said the celebration of Christmas in the state was peaceful without any form of an arrest made.
In the entire twenty-five local government areas in the state there was no issue of a security breach, he added.
Monday Bala Kurya, Head of the Niger State Police Command, stressed that there was never an incident during the celebration of Christmas that warranted any form of arrest or that breached public peace.
According to him, the citizens of the state are going about their lawful duties while they celebrated Christmas without an element engaging in nefarious activities that contravene societal norms.
He commended the residents for their cooperation noting that all security measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of the people of the state.
However, the Police Commissioner advised the residents to share any useful information which will be helpful to the Police Force to continue to safeguard the lives and properties of the people of Niger State.
“We had a hitch-free Christmas celebration across the state and no arrests were made during and after the festivity.
“The entire exercise was conducted without threat to lives and properties across the 25 LGAs,” Kurya said.
“All we require from the public is timely information on the movement of dubious characters, for necessary security action,” Kurya added.
Sequel to this, the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, has directed all the States Police Command to tighten its security to ensure it secures the lives and properties of Nigerians across the country.
The IGP in his directive stated that well-implemented, strategic, and coordinated patrols should be carried out to arrest any arising situation that goes against and hampers the festive season of Christians around the 36 States of the federation.
According to Usman, the Police have deployed all human resources and intelligence to ensure it quells every form of security threat in the Yuletide season which builds up into the New Year noting that the security of the country is of topmost priority to the Force.
The IGP in his statement, cautioned the men of the Nigeria Police Force, especially those deployed to the highways, to desist from practices that breach the code of conduct of the Force, are detrimental to its public image and negate the principles of the citizens-police relationship.
However, the Police IGP revealed that the Force remains sensitive to issues of rights violations, illegitimate use of force and has since deployed the Monitoring Unit, the X-Squad, and the Force Provost Unit on joint operation nationwide with a view to monitoring conducts of officers as citizens transit in and around the country
While wishing Christians joyful celebrations, he enjoined Nigerians to be well-behaved and must not be oblivious of the COVID-19 variant which is highly deadly and contagious, adding that they must ensure they adhere to the COVID-19 protocols to be safe from the virus.
The statement which was released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba said, ”the Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc (+), NPM, fdc has ordered Commissioners of Police (CPs) in the thirty-six (36) States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja as well as their supervisory Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs), to initiate and implement well-coordinated crime prevention strategies and ensure round-the-clock visibility patrols towards peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations in the country.
“The IGP, who noted that achieving a crime and crisis-free Yuletide is of utmost priority to the Force and the nation at large, being the build-up into a new year, assured citizens of adequate security throughout the celebration and beyond.
“He further noted that the AIGs and CPs have been directed to massively deploy human, intelligence and other operational assets of the Force at their disposal to all public places including residential areas, places of worship, recreational centres, financial institutions, market places, motor-parks, major highways, airports, railway stations, amongst others, to protect the citizens and critical national infrastructure (CNI).
”In addition, the IGP has warned Police personnel deployed for duties during the yuletide season, particularly those deployed to secure the highways across the country, to desist from acts inimical to discipline and professionalism.
“The IGP equally enjoined citizens to cooperate with officers deployed for the assignments especially by being law-abiding, noting that the Force remains sensitive to issues of rights violations, illegitimate use of force and has since deployed the Monitoring Unit, the X-Squad, and the Force Provost Unit on joint operation nationwide with a view to monitoring conducts of officers as citizens transit in and around the country during the festive season and holidays.
“While congratulating Christians in the country on the occasion of the 2021 celebration of the birth of Christ, the IGP thanked all Nigerians for supporting the Police and the security community in the fight against crimes and criminality.
“He enjoined citizens to go about the celebration in the spirit of love, sacrifice and to take protective measures to reduce exposure to security risks and the new wave of the COVID-19 variant.
“He further emphasized that citizens should beep Police emergency phone lines handy or contact the nearest Police station in the event of any untoward situation that may pose threats to public peace, safety, and security.
“The IGP, on behalf of the Force Management Team and entire officers of the Force, wishes Nigerians a Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year. He assured citizens of improved service delivery in the coming year, 2022”, he added.
