The Bauchi State Police Command on Tuesday assured people of the state of its readiness to ensure hitch-free Easter celebrations by Christians to mark the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
A press statement signed and made available to journalists in Bauchi, the state capital, by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Ahmed Mohammed Wakil, stated that adequate and comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place to guarantee a hitch-free celebration.
According to the police spokesman, a Superintendent of Police, to achieve this, the state Commissioner of Police, Umar Mamman Sanda, called on religious leaders, worshipers and residents of the state to cooperate with the police and other security agencies.
He added that CP Sanda has directed all Area Commanders, Heads of Departments and Divisional Police Officers to ventilate the state with overt and covert security deployments in order to safeguard lives and properties, and provide security coverage to all worship and recreational centres and conduct raids on identified trouble spots.
Also, the PPRO stated that all the police divisions have been charged to put in place adequate measures in their neighbourhood policing beats.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Umar Mamman Sanda fdc, psc, mnim, wishes the general public a Happy Easter celebration and calls on the People of the State to use this period for sober reflection, offer prayers for the Peace, Progress and Unity of the State and the Nation at large.
“While felicitating with members of the public as the Christendom commemorates the crucifixion, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Commissioner of Police is hereby calling on religious leaders, worshipers and residents of the State to cooperate with the police and other security agencies, as adequate and comprehensive security arrangements have been put in place to guarantee a hitch-free celebration.
“Furthermore, the Commissioner of Police has directed all Area Commanders, Heads of Departments and Divisional Police Officers to ventilate the state with overt and covert security deployments in order to safeguard lives and properties, provide security coverage to all worship and recreational centres and conduct raids on identified trouble spots, while all the police divisions of the Command have been charged to emplace adequate measures in their neighborhood policing beats,” SP Wakil stated.
The PPRO then assured that high visibility policing would be maintained before, during and after the celebrations.
“Consequently, high visibility policing will be maintained before, during, and after the celebration; as police patrol vehicles have been strategically deployed in our highways and undercover operatives and foot patrol policemen have also been mobilised to cover every nook and cranny.
“The Commissioner of Police, therefore, enjoined the good people of the state to be peaceful during celebration,” the police spokesman added.
He, however, stated that in case of any distress before, during and after the celebration, members of the public should visit any of the police stations nearest to them and can also make a complaint through the police Rescue Me Apps or call emergency numbers: 08151849417, 09053872273.