Determined to sustain adequate peace and security, and also ensure a hitch-free Salah celebrations in the state, the Rivers State Police Command and its sister agency, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), have jointly deployed 5,152 personnel across the 23 local government areas of the state.
While the police said it deployed a total of 3,532 personnel, the NSCDC deployed 1,620 officers to protect residents and corporate organisations during the Eid-el-Kabir celebrations in the state.
In their separate press statements made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, said the deployment covers all worship centres, celebration venues and other resort centres in the state.
In the statement, Iringe-Koko said that the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, had assured those resident in Rivers State of peaceful celebration before, during and after Eid-el-Kabir celebrations.
“In line with that, all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Commanders have been directed to ensure strict compliance to the directive, with a view to stopping mischief makers and other criminal elements from carrying out their nefarious activities during the Salah celebration.
“Area to be covered includes worship centres, celebration venues and other resorts centres. He directed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical Team Commanders to ensure that mischief makers are stopped from causing any form of mayhem for law abiding citizens.
“The command has deployed a total of 3,532 personnel to ensure a hitch free festival.
“The CP urged the residents to be peaceful and law-abiding while celebrating the Eid-el-Kabir celebration. He wished them well as they celebrate this year’s Muslim festival. The general public were asked to give useful information to the police that produce credible intelligence to curb crime in the state”, it stated.
The statement urged members of the public to be law abiding and continue to support the police in the fight against crime and criminalities, by reporting and furnishing the police with useful information or report any suspicious person/movement through the following emergency numbers: 08033396538, 09014273818 and 08160723982.”
In a related development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command said it has also deployed 1,620 personnel to protect residents for the 2022 Eid-el-Kabir celebration in the state.
In a statement in Port Harcourt by the Rivers State Command’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), DSC Olufemi Ayodele, said the deployment covers all churches, mosques and other public event centres.
According to the statement, the Rivers State Commandant of NSCDC, Michael Ogar, has directed all Area Divisional Officers across the 23 local government areas of the state to work with other security agencies, stakeholders and traditional rulers to ensure hitch-free Salah celebrations.
“It is a notable fact that criminal minded persons do take advantage of festive seasons to perpetrate their nefarious acts, we must be on top of the game in safeguarding of critical national assets, infrastructure and provisions of adequate security for the good people of Rivers State; the Command Anti-Vandal Squad has been fully briefed on the need to secure the waterways and effect massive arrests of those dealing illegally in petroleum products. Our Intelligence and Undercover team, Counter Terrorism and Arms Squad are to be on red alert; we must justify the trust and confidence of the public in us by discharging our duties with all sense of responsibility and commitment”.
The commandant while wishing Rivers people a peaceful celebration, advised parents and guardians to caution their wards on the type of company they keep, and assured the public that his command will sustain the anti-vandalism war to ensure that all critical assets of the Federal Government are protected.
The statement, however, warned perpetrators of illegal petroleum products deals to desist forthwith or risk being arrested and prosecuted.