Yuletide: IGP orders nationwide deployment of Personnel

By Oluwakemi Kindness

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered a nationwide deployment of police personnel, operational assets to ensure a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebration.

In a statement on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, says the IGP directs all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and State Commissioners of Police to intensify patrols, visibility policing, and intelligence-led operations in their areas of responsibility.

According to the police, specialised units have been placed on high operational alert.

These include the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Highway Patrol, Marine Police, and the Airwing.

The deployment covers churches, recreational centres, markets, parks, event venues, transport terminals, highways, and other high-density public areas, as well as critical national infrastructure.

To address security concerns on the roads, additional patrol and surveillance teams have been activated along inter-state routes and major expressways to curb traffic-related crimes, accidents, and disorder.

The Inspector-General also directed commands nationwide to sustain raids on identified crime blackspots, forests, and suspected criminal hideouts, while strengthening collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.

Officers on duty have been instructed to remain professional, firm, and courteous while carrying out their responsibilities.

While wishing Nigerians a joyful Christmas and a prosperous New Year, the police leadership urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through designated emergency lines.

The Nigeria Police Force says it remains fully committed to maintaining peace, safety, and security throughout the festive season and beyond.