From Segun Ayinde, Abeokuta
As Muslims celebrate Eid-el-Kabir, Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alamatu has drafted operatives to every part of the state to tighten security on prayer grounds, worship centres, highways and other critical parts of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed this to newsmen in a statement in Abeokuta yesterday, said the officers would be stationed at prayer grounds to curb and ward off criminals
Odutola said the commissioner ordered the deployment of police officers to strategic places to ensure a hitch-free Sallah celebration and to nip in the bud, unforeseen dangers that might arise due to breach security.
She said “as the Muslim faithful celebrate Sallah, Ogun State Police Command has drafted its operation order for the yearly celebration with safety strategies to ameliorate security concerns and ensure maximum protection across the state. It will ensure that residents, as well as visitors have a hitch-free celebration during and after Sallah.
“Policemen have been briefed and drafted to critical flashpoint areas and can be visibly seen everywhere performing their lawful duties. Members of the public would sight police officers conducting stop and search in locations such as Onigarri, Odeda, Long Bridge, Alapako, Sango/Ijoko, State Judiciary road headquarters, Tasued junction, Ogunmakin, Foursquare, Kemta, Odogbolu, Ogbere junction, Ijebu Imushin etc.
“These efforts are for the peace of the state and the command hereby solicits cooperation from residents, as police presence will be strongly felt in those critical areas. It is a significant celebration and the command has noted that there will be influx of visitors, on ingress and egress accessing the Gateway State. We implore your resilience and patience, as thorough checks would be made only for security purposes where reasonable suspicions arises.
“The underlisted highways will be patrolled 24/7 by a joint collaboration of sister agencies, Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Sagamu-Ijebu-Ode-Benin highway and Kara long bridge. They will remain on surveillance by the Divisional Police Officers in their area of jurisdiction, supervised by their Area Commanders.”
The police spokesperson also advised people accessing point of sale locations, eatery, lounges, restaurants and hotels to be alert and focus on their valuables in order not to fall victim of criminals.
She asked members of the public to contact the command in case of any crisis on its social media handles: X @OgunPoliceNG, Instagram
Ogunpolice_ng, Facebook
Ogun Command, YouTube
@embracepeace and phone numbers: 09159578888,09062837609,09120141706,09151027369
07084972994.
