The Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have promised tight security ahead of this weekend’s Eid-el Kabir celebration. This is even as the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has urged Muslims to eschew violence and embrace peace in the spirit of the season.

Vowing to ensure a hitch-free celebration, Inspector-General of Police, Ag. IGP Suleiman Abba, “has ordered effective and extensive deployment of personnel as well as all necessary logistics, to all nooks and crannies of the country. He has directed all Zonal AIGs and State Command Commissioners of Police to take adequate measures to ensure the provision of water-tight security across the country before, during and after the celebration and ensure that key and vulnerable points, all places of worship, recreation centres, resorts and other public places are adequately and effectively protected, to enable worshippers and the general public enjoy maximum security.”

Force Public Relations Officer Ag. CP Emmanuel C. S. Ojukwu, who disclosed this in a statement, added: “While saluting officers of the Nigeria Police Force for their tireless and selfless service to the nation, the IGP assured them that the administration of the Force is committed to revitalise the Nigeria Police and ensure that the Force is positioned, as a highly dedicated, professional, motivated and efficient Police Force.”

As for the NSCDC, “Towards ensuring a hitch-free and peaceful Sallah celebration, the Commandant General, Dr. Ade Abolurin, has directed immediate deployment of corps personnel to strategic places for protection of lives and property of the citizens,” National Public Relations Officer, CSC Okeh Emmanuel O., said.

Okeh in a statement said that “Dr. Abolurin specifically directed that the security personnel at state and local government levels should be deployed to federal highways, praying grounds, public gatherings and suspected black spots and hideouts where criminal elements live. The Commandant General gave the directive today while assessing the corps’ preparation for the forthcoming Islamic Celebration of Eid-Kabir.

“The Corps Chief Executive stated that apart from the deployment of regular and volunteer personnel, the Corps has deployed specialized Units including Counter-Terrorism unit, Bio-Chemical and Radio-Active Squad, surveillance vehicles and sniffer dogs for the operation the during the festive period.”

While wishing Muslims a blissful and peaceful celebration, Abolurin stressed the importance of peaceful coexistence and mutual understanding which major religions Islam and Christianity preach. He said: “Muslims and Christians should see themselves as brothers and work harmoniously towards tackling challenges facing the country. All hands must be on deck in tackling the problems of insecurity in the society.”

He urged improved collaboration and synergies among security organisations to curtail the activities of criminal elements in the society by shunning attitudes that could breed conflicts and rift.

ACF, on its part, said in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary Muhammad Ibrahim: “This is a period of sacrifice and a reflection on the significance of the spiritual act. Muslims are therefore enjoined to be steadfast in promoting the virtues of Islam among which are peace, accommodation and understanding in all their undertakings. The behaviour of deviant Muslims should not in any way be construed as a general attitude of Muslims.

“ACF therefore, calls on Nigerians to eschew unnecessary bitterness and hatred on the basis of faith, tribe or even political leanings. We urge Nigerians to unite and always pray for peaceful coexistence and understanding among the citizenry especially in this period of Eid-el Kabir Celebration. We appeal to our leaders at all levels of Government to be God-fearing, just, sincere and responsible in discharging their duties.

“Nigeria is in a trying period of insecurity which has adversely affected our socioeconomic and political development especially in the Northern region, hence the need to fervently pray for peace, stability, prosperity and equally remember the plight of internally displaced persons in various refuge camps as a result of the terrorist activities. It also calls on the insurgents to heed to the call by Mr. President in his Anniversary broadcast to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue.

“ACF commends the galant efforts of our security forces in combating the insurgency in the Northeast and calls on them to sustain the onslaught to dislodge the terrorists from the occupied territories of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.”

•Photo shows a happy Muslim in the Sallah mood.