Eid-El-Fitr Celebration: Police Meets Stakeholders, Deploys 2,181 Personnel

By Jide Afolabi, Jos

The Nigeria Police, Plateau State Command has on Friday held a stakeholders meeting as the state prepares for a hitch-free Sallah celebration.

The Command also says that it would deploy 2,181 men and officers of the Command with a mandate “to detect and prevent crime as well as control traffic to ensure that the Sallah celebrations end without any ugly incident.”

The Command also places a ban on the use of tricycle (keke) while reteirating enforcement of earlier banned usage of motorcycle within Jos and Bukuru metropolis.

The Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Plateau State Command, DSP Tyopev Matthias Terna in a press release made available to CityMirrorNews noted that “the ban on the sale and use of fireworks such as knockout, bangers and other explosives are still in force and violators will equally face the wrath of the law.”

Tyopev said that recration centres would open for use but reteirated bans on offensive weapons.

“The National Museum and Wildlife Park shall be opened to the public on the Sallah day and beyond. However, no one is allowed to take in any offensive weapons such as knives and clubs or obnoxious drugs as anyone arrested with the above-mentioned items will be dealt with in accordance with the law.” he said.

The Command said that there will be a diversion of Traffic in some selected areas during the Eid – El – Fitr Prayers to avoid any clash and advised worshippers to park their vehicles at a distance not less than 100 metres from the praying grounds. They were also encouraged to pray close to their homes since tricycles will not be allowed on the day of festivity.

The Police sought the cooperation of worshippers who may be subjected to security checks by law enforcement agents.

The statement said, “All religious, as well as community leaders, are required to counsel their children/wards on the need for them not to indulge in drugs/substance abuse as well as any other form of anti-social activities.”

Tyopev warned youths to vacate the praying grounds immediately after prayers to avoid arrest and prosecution by security agencies while enjoining members of the public to be security conscious and volunteer useful and timely information to the Police and other security agencies in other to curtail the Pre-Sallah illegal activities of Sara-Suka and other cult groups.

The Command said that the Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations and the Police Control Room can be reached by members of the public in case of any distress on; 08035772975, 08034192853, 07059473022, 08038907662.

The Commissioner of Police of the Command wished all residents of Plateau a hitch-free Eid – El – Fitr celebration.