Yuletide: NSCDC deploys 1200 operatives in Akwa Ibom

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Thursday deployed 1,200 operatives to ensure adequate protection of critical government infrastructures in Akwa Ibom State for hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Abidemi Majekodunmi, the Commandant of NSCDC, stated this in a press statement made available to journalists in Uyo, the state capital.

He said that strategic locations like the Tropicana Complex, playgrounds, recreational centres, Christmas Village, Ibom Plaza, major worship centres would be patrolled to forestall the perpetration of criminal acts.

Part of the text read, “To ensure a hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebration, the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has deployed 1, 200 personnel of the corps to strategic locations across the 31 local government areas of the state.

“The deployment is necessary to ensure that the 2021 Christmas and new year celebration is peaceful and devoid of hostilities. As such, major highways, as well as all entry and exit points to Akwa Ibom State, will be fully patrolled.

‘We have deployed our counter-terrorism unit and Agro Rangers to the field to complement other armed tactical units. We also have a standby Rapid Response Squad to respond to emergency calls.”

The Commandant enjoined Akwa Ibom residents to remain vigilant all through the celebration and beyond and promptly report any form of infraction and breach of peace to the nearest security agency.

He warned vandals to steer clear of critical national assets like oil pipelines, power installations, transformers and cables as those caught will end the year behind bars.

He reminded private security guards in the state of their role in the security architecture, to furnish relevant security agencies of information within their areas of operation for prompt action.