By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it will be deploying a total of 428 personnel to critical infrastructure locations and surveillance patrol this yuletide within Enugu State.

The Commandant of NSCDC Enugu State Command, Mr Valentine Afrika, disclosed this to newsmen in Enugu on Wednesday.

Afrika noted that the command was deploying nine fully-ready operation patrol vans for surveillance and emergency on-the-spot operations within the yuletide in the state.

The commandant assured the people of the state of a crime-free Yuletide; adding that the command had concluded arrangements to ensure that criminal elements find it extremely difficult to operate in the state.

He noted that all the security agencies in the state would be working together towards frustrating every move of men of the underworld to operate and escape within the state.

Afrika emphasised that flash points in the state had all been marked for effective monitoring with a view to nipping every suspicious activity in the bud.

“The Yuletide usually comes with multiple situations that are challenging.

“The season from experience normally witnesses an upsurge in crime, chaotic traffic situations occasioned by recklessness of some road users and increase in fire disasters as a result of harmattan wind.

“The people of the state should be vigilant, security conscious and law-abiding as the season this year will be hitch-free,” he assured.

The commandant also revealed that he had earlier held a meeting with heads of various NSCDC departments, special squads, area commanders and divisional officers in all the local government areas in the state.

“During the meeting, I charged them to spare no effort in enforcing all the extant laws that will ensure safe celebrations.

“I also implored them to work more closely with personnel of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and other sister security agencies in their local areas to guarantee all round success of the operation,” he said.