The Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corp, NSCDC, said 9,882 officers had been deployed to provide effective security during the Eid-el-Fitr break in Borno.
This is as the state Police Command announced restriction of vehicular movement in the territory from 7 a.m. to 12. 15 p.m. during the Eid celebration in Maiduguri and Jere Local Government Areas of the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Mohammed Aliyu, told the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, in a telephone interview on Tuesday that the command had deployed 8,682 policemen to provide adequate security.
“Our men, comprising of the conventional police, Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Explosive Ordinance Squad and men of Mobile Police Force, had been deployed in strategic places to ensure hitch-free celebration,” he said, reiterating the commitment of the force towards ensuring total protection of lives and properties throughout the period.
Similarly, Mr. Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Borno Commandant of NSCDC, said the command had deployed 1,200 personnel to collaborate with the police and other security agencies in providing security.
He said that the personnel were deployed in markets places, worship and recreational centres.
The Commandant warned youths in the state not to take advantage of the celebration to engaged in unwholesome activities.
He also warned tricycle operators in the state to desist from recklessness driving and overloading of passengers, especially under-aged children.
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“Parent must ensure they monitor what their children are during in this period.
“In the past, we recorded many cases where youth drugged teenage girls and had illicit affairs with them,” Abdullahi said.
Announcing the restriction of movement, Mr. Abubakar Usman, the spokesman of the Borno command, said: “Muslim faithful are once again celebrating Eid-el-Fitr on June 4 and June 5 marking 29th or 30 of Ramadan fast.
“In furtherance to the above, there will be restriction of vehicular movement between 7 a.m. and 12:15p.m. beginning from June 4.
“The restriction, though regretted will include the use of motor vehicles, bicycles and animals except those on essential duties.
“Muslim faithful are advised to pray in worship centres close to their homes and to ensure they go early enough for security screening and avoid the usual rush when prayers are about to commence thereby compromising the emplaced security measures.
“In additional, the public, especially youths who carry knives and other dangerous weapons to praying grounds and other recreational places like the Zoological park, are warned to desist from the act or face the full wrath of the law.
NAN
