May 29: Security beefed up as Police deploy 5,000 men, 1000 sniffer dogs

[contextly_auto_sidebar id=”leYAz1mY9RApOrUAooun1siXJtqGUmbn”]

The nation’s security agencies are now being put on red alert as the May 29 handover date to a new government remains days. Specifically, the Inspector-General of Police [IGP], Mr. Solomon Arase, has ordered zonal assistant inspectors general of police and command commissioners to beef up security around key areas, vulnerable points and critical infrastructure, like mega filling stations, major hotels, national and state houses of assembly and the Eagle Square, among others.
police

The directive came as the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps also announced that it has concluded plans to deploy more than 5, 000 operatives, including special units in the Federal Capital Territory for the May 29 inauguration of the new administration and also placed state commands on high alert.

Spokesman of the NSCDC, Mr. Emmanuel Okeh, disclosed in a telephone interview that 1,000 specially trained sniffer dogs will also be deployed to strategic areas while anti-chemical, anti-bomb units will take strategic positions at major venues of activities planned for the ceremony.

“We are making adequate arrangements to ensure that no state in the federation is left porous. Already, we have directed state commandants to place their men on high alert and ensure that dogs and special units are adequately deployed for the inauguration,” Okeh explained. The Police High Command stated that its preparations for the inauguration was intended to ward off possible plans by insurgents to carry out widespread violence and coordinated attacks on unprotected installations and public places ahead of May 29, 2015. It expressed concern that miscreants might be planning to attack strategic installations with a view to undermining the presidential and governorship inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies taking place in many parts of the the country.

In a statement, the Police High Command enjoined members of the public to remain steadfast in collaborating with officers and men of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to stamp out crimes, including terrorism. The police also assured that they have perfected strategies to prepare a safe and secured ground to ensure hitch-free inauguration and swearing-in ceremonies nationwide.

The Armed Forces have also lined up activities, besides high security for the inauguration.

Indeed, the Guards Brigade Garrison has rounded up a week long practice in match past with schools and other para-military agencies and private uniformed organizations.

Also, Plateau State has deployed 7,800 security agents throughout the state ahead of May 29 handover in a bid to ensure a hitch-free transition. Chairman of the Publicity Programme and Documentation sub-Committee of the Transition Planning Committee, Pastor Yıljap Abraham, who unveiled the preparations made for the inauguration in Jos, the state capital, during a press conference, said the implementation of the transition programme in the state was on course.

Yıljap, who is also the state Commissioner for Tourism, maintained that the need to step up security in the state became necessary to ensure that the transition ceremony and other activities lined up for the period are conducted safely and successfully.

According to him, “There will be strategic deployment of vital assets, mobile patrols, manning of checkpoints, surveillance, including the expansion of the prevailing checkpoints within the city of Jos and environs.”

He stressed that immediately the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the APC candidate, Barrıster Simon Lalong, winner of the April 11 governorship polls, Governor Jonah Jang immediately set up a 12-member planning committee, headed by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Shedrack Best, to prepare grounds for the transition.

Another 12-member committee headed by the Deputy Governor-elect, Professor Sonny Tyoden, was also set up by the incoming administration and since then, the two groups have been working to ensure a successful handover of power in the state.

He stressed that as part of the activities to mark the transition, a Jumat prayer would be held at the Jos Central Mosque on Friday, May 22 and would be followed by a thanksgiving service on Sunday, May 24 at the Government House Chapel, Rayfıeld, Jos.

He also disclosed that there would be commissioning of projects by Governor Jang, starting from Monday and would terminate on Thursday to pave way for the final handover on Friday, May 29, at the Rwang Pam Township Stadium, Jos, the state capital.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *