The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris has ordered massive deployment of policemen to ensure a hitch free Independence celebration.

A statement yesterday by police spokesman CSP Jimoh Moshood said the IGP directed the Commissioners of Police in all states of the federation and their Supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of Zonal Commands to carryout massive deployment of officers and men.

He said those to be deployed include: conventional police personnel, police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Police Forces, Force Intelligence and Investigation Department for covert and overt operations.

Others are: The Police Helicopters and Police Marine Gunboats to patrol difficult terrains and riverine areas throughout the country, and the Police Mounted Troops and Dogs section for crowd control and crime prevention at venues of celebration and recreation during the period and beyond.

Moshood said the personnel deployed are under strict instruction to be civil, polite but firm in the discharge of their responsibilities.

“They are to pay special attention to places of celebrations, public places and other locations where people will gather to celebrate the Independence anniversary.

“Sustained surveillance and proactive crime prevention strategies will be adopted, while the on-going raids of criminal hideouts, black spots, identified troubled spots and other vulnerable points to remove criminal elements will be continued throughout the period.

He also said the Commissioners of Police in charge of the state commands are directed by the Inspector General of Police to collaborate with other security and safety agencies and also interface with the community leaders to ensure a successful implementation of security operations for the celebration.  

He added that the IGP has placed all the personnel of the Force on red alert to nip in the bud any attempt by any group under whatsoever guise to cause disturbance of the peace on 1st of October, 2017 or at any other time.

“Consequently, Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in charge of Zonal and State Commands have been directed by the Inspector General of Police to be personally on ground.

“To deploy and supervise personnel on visible police patrols and police presence at strategic locations and other identified flash points within the cities, and along the highways and major roads in all states of the country and FCT to build confidence of safety in the people residing everywhere in the country,” Moshood stated.

He said Police Commanding Officers are to deploy all intelligence and personnel to make sure that the purported quit notice given to the Igbo in the North as well as the Hausa/Fulanis and Yoruba in the Niger Delta region are not actualized.

He said they are also to enforce the law as required to prevent the utterance of hate speech and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. 

He added that the full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group for any unlawful act or attempt to cause disturbance of law and order in the Nation.