No fewer than 1,200 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, would be deployed for the Easter celebration in Edo State.
Arogidigba Global Journal reports that the Commandant of the Edo State Command of the agency, Gbenga Agun, disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin City.
The statement signed by the Command’s spokesman, Efosa Ogbebor, said the personnel will ensure a peaceful and secure Easter celebration in the state.
Agun said the 1,200 personnel include all special forces in the Corps such as the armed squad, the anti-vandal monitoring unit, the special female squad, intelligence, agro rangers, counter terrorism and the chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives (CBRNE) unit.
He said the personnel would provide adequate security in places of worship, motor parks, recreational centres and other places to prevent any form of threat to lives and property.
While assuring the residents of the state that adequate security measures had been put in place, he added that the personnel have been directed to join forces with regular officers to ensure a hitch-free celebration in the state.
“Our job is to protect lives and property, so you must look out for criminals, hoodlums, and mischief makers seeking to compromise the peace of the state and deal decisively with them.”
The commandant, who congratulated all Christians in the state on the celebration of Christ’s resurrection, however, charged them to pray for peace and progress of the state and the nation in general.
He, however, warned holiday makers to celebrate in moderation and be law abiding in their activities.
He also urged the residents to assist security agencies by giving timely and credible information to nip crime in the bud.