Police beef up security in Nigeria ahead festive seasons

The police in Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, have beefed up security across the country to ensure crime-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.

National police spokesperson Don Awunah said in a statement reaching Xinhua on Saturday that the police has put in place a robust and elaborate security arrangement and crime prevention strategies to ensure crime free Christmas celebration nationwide.

He said the Inspector-General of Police Ibrahim Idris has deployed various striking units of the Force to provide effective security and protection of life and property nationwide during the Christmas.

According to him, visible police presence is already in place on major roads across the country, deployment of the patrol teams and surveillance squads will cover places of worship, venues of recreation and celebrations throughout the period of the festivities.

The police spokesperson advised operators of public facilities to be vigilant and ensure they properly screen all visitors or users of their facilities during the festive period.

He urged members of the public to report any suspicious movement in their areas to the police.

Meanwhile, Awunah said the ban on use of firework and knockout are still in force.

Parents and guardians are advised to prevail on their children and wards to desist from these acts that are capable of causing tension, fear and apprehension in their neighborhood, he added.

He said violators will promptly be arrested and prosecuted.

Nigeria has in the recent past suffered a string of terror attacks mostly orchestrated by Boko Haram.

Boko Haram, which has proved to be a major security threat in Nigeria since 2009, has killed hundreds of people in the last three months in many village attacks across three states in the northeast region.

Hundreds of lives have been massacred by Boko Haram fighters in various attacks carried out this year. Endit