A near watertight security network was introduced in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT and other states of the federation by the military, police and other security agencies to ensure a hitch-free Christmas celebration tomorrow.
As early as 6am yesterday, soldiers, policemen and men of the Nigerian Security Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, had taken strategic positions on major roads in Abuja and other state capitals. Policemen also mounted checkpoints on inter-state routes such as the Kaduna-Abuja-Lokoja Road, Abuja-Keffi Highway and other major routes.
In the FCT, soldiers and policemen stood guard at major busstops in Berger, Wuse, Jabi Park, Federal Secretariat and other spots. They carried out stop-and-search on motorists and frisked residents, especially those with luggage.
In Maiduguri, Borno State, the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army announced a five-day restrict on vehicular movements to check the activities of Boko Haram terrorists during the Christmas celebration.
In a statement issued by the Deputy Director Army Public Relations Officer, Col. Sani Usman, he said the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri in consultation with the Borno State government and other security agencies has banned all forms of vehicular movement in the state from 6pm today till 7am on Sunday, December 28, 2014.
He however said the ban excludes vehicles on essential services such as medical and fire services and the media.
Usman said the measure became necessary to safeguard the life and property of law abiding Nigerians in the state.
Meanwhile, the Zonal Coordinator of the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Mr. Isa Chonoko, has urged managers of motor parks across Nigeria to engage in proper checks in and around their locations to avoid any unforeseen incidents during the Yuletide.
He gave the charge in Abuja at a sensitisation forum to draw attention to possible dangers at the motor parks following the influx of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs into Abuja, the nation’s capital.
Chonoko noted that it was the end of the year again and “most Nigerians in their usual nature would travel out of their stations using various means of transportation in order to celebrate the holidays with loved ones,” adding that most commercial road trips are embarked upon from the motor parks.
He said that the recent influx of the IDPs into the city had heightened fears among residents and travelers, adding that NEMA have told the Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC and other security agencies to educate commercial drivers on proper and adequate security checks in and around the motor parks.
“Garages, shopping malls are highly vulnerable to being attacked by these insurgents so that was what informed our decision to sensitise the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW executives on the need to keep their environment in order especially in the area of security,” he said.
No comments:
Post a Comment