To ensure hitch-free Easter celebration, the Commandant General (CG) of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi, has ordered the deployment of 30,000 personnel from Federal Capital Territory (FCT), states, Zonal Commands and the national headquarters to beef up security across the country.
      
The CG gave the order in Abuja, while addressing personnel on the need for effective policing of the nation against any atrocious activities of dangerous elements planning to cause breakdown of law and order.
  
He directed all special forces in the Corps, such as the Armed Squad, CG’s Special Intelligence Squad, CG’s Special Anti- Vandal Monitoring Squad, CG’s Marine Monitoring Unit, Special Female Squad, Directorate of Intelligence and Investigation (DII), Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Agro Rangers, SWAT, K9, Counter Terrorism and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives (CBRNE) units to join forces with regular officers to ensure a hitch-free celebration across the country.
    
He said: “As the Easter celebration approaches, I want to see massive deployment of personnel everywhere in the country.
 
“All special forces and regular officers must go all out to protect life and property.
 
“You must look out for criminals, hoodlums and mischief makers, seeking to compromise the integrity of the country and deal decisively with them.”
    
Audi explained that the massive deployment will cover all public utilities, suspected flashpoints, worship centres, markets, recreational facilities, shopping malls, parks, gardens and other crowded locations.
     
He stressed that the tight security measures being put in place is to protect life, infrastructure and prevent any occurence of national emergencies given reports of various political agitations and planned protests in different parts of the country.
   
“Reports have it that some people want to take advantage of the Easter celebration to cause breakdown of law and order, chaos and destruction of critical national assets in the name of election protests and other political agitations, but we will not allow that to happen.”
 

“You must prevent any unlawful gathering, assembly or protests which failed to obtain necessary permission from the police, which is the lead agency in internal security.
  
“You must also ensure proper synergy with other security agencies to forestall any threat to the peace of the nation.
  
“Note that I will not tolerate any excuse for failure, so, ensure you quell any form of insecurity to sustain the relative peace the nation is currently enjoying.
   
“The Corps will be working in collaboration with other security agencies and no stone would be left unturned in ensuring that adequate security is provided and sustained in the country,” he added.
  
Audi congratulated all Christians in the country on the celebration of Christ’s resurrection and charged them to pray for peace, progress of the nation and a successful transition of power to the incoming government.
   
He warned holiday makers to celebrate in moderation and be law abiding in their activities, urging them to assist security agencies by giving timely and credible information to nip crime in the bud.