Nigerian security forces on alert ahead yuletide

LAGOS, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- Security chiefs in Nigeria has placed all their personnel on full alerts in the event of any emergency situation during the yuletide season.

Rebel attacks in recent years have overshadowed the festive season in the West African country, where a big bomb killed more than 40 Christians on Christmas Day in 2011 at St. Theresa Catholic Church in Niger State.

The Nigerian Army has called on people, who reside in the restive northeast region, to be security vigilant and guard against suicide bomb attack by Boko Haram insurgents.

Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, a military spokesperson said it was imperative for the people to be vigilant and monitor suspicious persons in their communities, places of worship and other public places.

He called on community and religious leaders to sensitize and mobilize their people to be security conscious to prevent insurgents' attack.

Also, police in northwest state of Kano, assured residents of the state's adequate security during the Christmas and New year celebrations. Security personnel have been deployed to places of worship, motor parks, markets, roads, shopping malls, recreational centers and all public places to beef up security.

In northeast Adamawa, the police and other security agencies in the state also put in place measures to ensure hitch-free celebrations.

In oil rich state of Akwa Ibom, some 6,000 police personnel had been deployed to provide security in the state during and after the yuletide.

The personnel were deployed to churches, relaxation centers, financial institutions as well as markets and public buildings.

The action was to forestall any breach of peace and order during the celebrations, Bala Elkana, the state police spokesperson said. Enditem