Police IG warns Unit Commanders to be at alert for Boko Haram during Sallah

Following the recent threat by members of the Boko Haram sect to strike during the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar has called on all heads of operational units and commanders of the force nationwide to be committed to their duties while ensuring a peaceful and incident-free Sallah celebration.

The police boss also ordered commanders in-charge of the Police Special Forces – the Air Wing, the Maritime Command, the Counter Terrorism Unit and the Border Patrol Units to ensure purposeful and strategic deployment of their personnel and logistics to ensure all criminal threats are effectively checkmated.

A statement from Force headquarters signed by CSP Frank Mba said, “This directive is contained in a Police signal issued on October 12, 2013, by the office of the IGP addressed to Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in-charge of Zones and State Command, Commissioners of Police.”


“As the Muslim faithful in Nigeria mark the 2013 Eid-el Kabir, the Inspector-General of Police, Abubakar has ordered all heads of Operational Units at commands and formations of the Force nationwide to put in place high visibility policing strategies targeted at achieving a secure, peaceful and incident-free Sallah celebration.

“Commissioners of Police are to adequately protect all essential infrastructure and vulnerable points, including highways, motor parks, and places of worship, shopping malls and recreation centres.

“In addition, Commanders of Police Mobile Force Squadrons are to ensure that their respective Quick Reactionary Units remain on high alert throughout the holiday period.”

Continuing, the statement said, “The IGP reminded Operational Commanders that though the nation is on holiday, Policemen are not on holiday and all Commanders are expected to remain at their beats and posts throughout the Sallah period.”

However, officers and men deployed for the Eid-el Kabir celebrations have been urged to conduct themselves in a most professional manner, in line with the Force Code of Conduct and Professional Ethics and other extant laws regulating the rules of engagement.

Dailypost