As Muslims in Abia State mark their 2024 Eid-el Fitri, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigeria Police have assured citizens of an incident-free celebration.
As a result, over 400 officers, 20 patrol vehicles, tow trucks, and ambulances had been deployed in a special patrol operation to ensure the free flow of traffic and ensure that the state did not record any crashes within the period.
Addressing his staff who were posted to strategic locations to man traffic and other stakeholders, the Abia State Sector Commander, Frederick Ade Ogidan, disclosed that the special operations will start from April 8 to April 13, 2024, and warned drivers involved in “lane indiscipline” to desist from such acts as it’s not going to be business as usual.
The Abia State Police Command, as well as the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, also assured Muslim faithful in the state and other residents of a secure and peaceful Eid-el-Fitr celebration.
In their various 2024 Eid-el-Fitr messages, the state commissioner for police, Kenechukwu Onwumelie, and the state commander of the NSCDC, Usman Ishaq Alfadarai, expressed their avowed commitment to ensuring the celebration will be smooth in the state.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Maureen Chinaka, in a statement she issued on behalf of the CP, “As we mark this important festival, the Abia State Police Command reaffirms our unwavering commitment to the safety and security of all residents and visitors in our state,” stating that his officers have been diligently working to provide adequate security measures to guarantee everyone’s safety before, during, and after the celebration.
“We have enhanced our presence in key areas and will be closely monitoring public gatherings and events to maintain peace and order. However, we also call upon all Muslim faithful and the general public to be vigilant and security-conscious.
In a statement issued by the Head, Public Relations Unit, NSCDC Ndukwe Agu Egwu, on behalf of the state commandant, the commandant said, “Ahead of the 2024 Eid-EEl Fitr celebration, the Abia State commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence has deployed an additional eight hundred (800) officers and men serving in the state to beef up security to ensure a hitch-free celebration.”.
“As part of our security measures to ensure that Muslim faithful in the state join their counterparts across the globe to mark the 2024 Eid al-FFitr in a peaceful environment, I have ordered the immediate deployment of additional eight hundred personnel to strategic locations across the state,” he said, disclosing that the personnel were drawn from Area Commands, Divisions, Tactical Units, and Special Forces to provide adequate backup to operatives in the field already carrying out routine security duties.”.
Meanwhile, Gov. Alex Otti has expressed his happiness with Muslims in the State for their peaceful conduct while emphasising the need for the various communities to continue to live in peace and harmony, stating, “It is my prayer that as you celebrate, the lessons learned from the long period of fasting, praying and reflecting on various issues of life will help you in your quest to be better Muslims and citizens of Abia, as well as contribute meaningfully to the economic, social and political development of our state and country.
“I thank you for the unflinching support that you have extended to our government this past 10 months. As a government, our administration will continue to strive towards creating an enabling environment for all our people, no matter your faith, tribe, ethnic origin or political leaning, to prosper in whatever legitimate endeavours they’re engaged in. I urge you to remain steadfast in your prayers and support for our government”, the governor said.
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