5,000 Policemen Deployed To Borno For Security Ahead Of Salah

Nigeria Police

Decision Was Prompted By Recent Suicide Attacks On Maiduguri

Ahead of the Eid-El—Fitr celebration in Borno State, over 5,000 policemen have been reported to be deployed to the state on Wednesday, to keep the state from security breach.

Damian Chukwu, the Borno Police Commissioner, while speaking to news men said the decision was prompted by the recent suicide attacks on Maiduguri.

He said the police and other security operatives including the military had no choice but to beef up security, noting that vehicular movement would be restricted few hours before and after the Eid prayer to ensure security during the festival.

He said: “This year’s Sallah celebration is expected to come up on 15th June, 2018. Security arrangements, including the deployment of over 5,000 policemen has been put in place to ensure hitch-free Sallah celebration.”

He asked Muslim faithfuls to cooperate with the security forces deployed to the various praying grounds for their protection.

He also called on them to arrive early at their respective praying grounds for security screening to avoid the stampede that eleventh hour rush is associated with.

Chukwu said “because of the security threats and recent incidents of suicide bombings, there will be restriction of vehicular movements.”

He disclosed that the restriction will affect all motor vehicles, tricycles, bicycles, horses, donkeys, wheelbarrows, camels, among others.

He said to further ensure a hitch-free celebration, there will be ‘Show of Force’ by joint teams of all security forces during the festival.