The Police and other security agencies have beefed up security across the country with Christmas just five days away.

Hundreds of thousands of Nigerians usually travel to their home towns to celebrate the occasion, some by road and others by air.

Air travels have become particularly expensive this year and many of those who would have preferred to fly have either chosen to travel by road or called off travel all together.

Food prices are generally stable across the country, according to our correspondents.

Reports from different parts of the country showed that traffic from the South West and the northern states to the South East and South South has been on the increase in the last few days.

It was gathered that the beef up in security is to check attempts by unscrupulous people to use the festive period to carry out criminals activities.

In Ogun State,Police Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), and all tactical units have been directed to intensify patrols and increase police visibility in residential areas, markets, motor parks, places of worship, hospitals and along major highways.

The Police In the state are being assisted the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Amotekun Corps, So-Safe Corps, the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), and local hunters.

Also, residents have been advised to report any suspicious activities or security concerns through the Ogun State Police Command emergency lines: Gateway Shield (General Complaints Line – Toll Free): 0800 000 9111. Emergency Numbers: 0906 283 7609, 0912 014 1706, 0915 102 7369 and 0708 497 2994.

Parents and guardians were also advised to caution their children and wards against the use of fireworks, as anyone whose actions cause public disturbance, injury or damage to property will be apprehended.

The Commissioner of Police, Ogun State Command, CP Lanre Ogunlowo, who assured residents of robust security, urged everyone to “See Something, Say Something,” emphasizing that the Gateway Shield Platform as a fast, reliable channel for reporting general complaints and security concerns via the toll-free line 0800 000 9111.

The Osun State Police Command renewed its ban on the sale and use of knockouts, bangers, fireworks and other pyrotechnic devices before, during and after the Christmas and New Year celebrations.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi said the loud explosive sounds from knockouts “are easily mistaken for gunshots or improvised explosive devices, thereby creating unnecessary panic, tension, apprehension and avoidable security alerts at a time the nation is on heightened security watch.”

“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has directed that the use of knockouts, bangers and fireworks in residential areas, near hospitals, places of worship, markets, motor parks, along major roads and wherever is strictly prohibited”,Ojelabi said.

A similar measure Is in place in all the 36 states and the federal capital territory of Abuja.

Spokesman of the Taraba State Police Command, ASP Victor Mshelizah, said “enhanced operational strategies” are in place to curb any form of criminality during the celebration.

The Bayelsa State Police Command said it has deployed operatives and technical assets to public spaces and religious centres in the state.

The technical assets include drone and cameras and intelligence team deployed to ensure safety of travellers, residents and visitors to the state.

Spokesman for the command Musa Mohammed said security has also been enhanced on the waterways.

“Security has been beefed up in the nooks and crannies, even on the waterways largely achieved through inter-agency collaboration.”

The Imo State Police Command launched what it called a comprehensive security reinforcement across the state to safeguard lives and property during the festive season.

Police spokesman in the state, Henry Okoye, said the Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma ordered the deployment of additional officers to key locations such as churches, markets, motor parks, recreational centres and major highways.

The situation Is not different in Cross River State.

Security has been intensified at the Victor Attah International Airport, Uyo and major entry points in the state.

Similarly, security operatives have been deployed to the Oron Beach from where boats and ferries transport passengers to Calabar, Cross River State and other places.

Tension remains high in Kwara State following recent activities of kidnappers in parts of the state.

Consequently, the State police command deployed personnel to protect selected communities and critical infrastructure in the state.

Markets, worship centres, motor parks, and major public spaces across are being given special protection, spokesman for the command, Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi said.

Ejire-Adeyemi added that joint surveillance and intelligence-sharing operations are ongoing to maintain vigilance and deter any security breach.

A commercial bus driver told our correspondent that many people are scared of travelling to the hinterland over security concerns.

“Even drivers too are frightful of embarking on travels because of banditry and kidnappings,” he said.

Insecurity: Tambuwal seeks objective analysis, support for Tinubu

The immediate governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal yesterday called for a more objective analysis of Nigeria’s security challenges and urged citizens to support President Bola Tinubu’s administration in tackling insecurity across the country.

Tambuwal, who made the call in Sokoto, stressed that insecurity in Nigeria should not be politicised.

According to him, Nigeria’s security challenges are not about President Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC), or partisan politics, but about the collective safety and future of the nation.

“I have always insisted that we must not play politics with issues of insecurity. Much has been done, and a lot still needs to be done to address our country’s security challenges,” he said.

“The situation is unfortunate, but I believe there is hope in the way we are confronting these challenges.”

Tambuwal emphasised that insecurity in Nigeria was neither religious nor ethnic, stating that criminal elements affect all Nigerians regardless of background.

“The perpetrators are common criminals. Every Nigerian is affected by their heinous activities,” he added.

The former Governor of Sokoto State also appealed to the United States Government to reconsider its position and support the Tinubu administration in addressing Nigeria’s lingering security situation.

“Therefore, I call on the United States, under President Donald Trump, to reconsider its stance and support Nigeria in tackling insecurity,” he urged.

Tambuwal further said that Nigeria’s security challenges can only be addressed through collective efforts, recalling his time as a governor during the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari, when security issues were handled without political differences.

He encouraged Nigerians to stop viewing security challenges through a biased lens and instead analyse the situation objectively, stressing that the country and its citizens needed support from all well-meaning partners.

Food prices stable

Prices of food items are generally stable and in some cases dropped.

A survey carried out by our correspondent at the Mile Six market in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital, showed that the prices of staples like rice, beans, garri, palm oil and groundnut oil have not changed much since October.

For instance, a medium size measure of rice costs N1800, beans-N1500, Garri-N1200, Palm oil- 75Cl bottle-N2000, Groundnut oil bottle- N2300-N2500 depending on bottle size, Tomatoes-N200-N500 depending on size of the bowl while a kilogram of beef costs N7000.

Traders said grains are cheaper in the rural parts of the state.

A bag of rice costs between N63,000 and N65,000 in Niger State while a bag of beans costs between N70,000 and N85,000.

A small basket of onions costs N3,000, while a basket of tomatoes costs about N5,000.

A bag of local rice goes for between N45,000 and N65,000 in Port Harcourt while beans goes for N80, 000 and N90,000.

A measure of white garri goes for N1,500 as against the former price of N2000 while that of yellow garri is N1,800 down from N3000. (The Nation)