By: Mujidat Oyewole
Kwara Command of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 1,500 personnel to ensure peaceful and hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.

This is contained in a statement issued by the command’s Spokesperson, Mr Babawale Afolabi, and made available to newsmen on Monday in Ilorin.

“1,500 plain-clothed and uniformed personnel will compliment the efforts of other security agencies across the 16 local government areas of the state.

“The State Commandant, Makinde Ayinla, has directed the deployment of 1,500 officers and men, drawn from intelligence and investigations department, anti-vandal, counter-terrorism, operation harmony and armed squad units.

“The officers will work with regular officers from all the divisional offices and outposts across the 16 local government areas of the state,” Afolabi said.

The spokesman said that there would be a 24-hour surveillance and patrol at all the locations of government’s critical infrastructure and national assets across the state.

He said that all the identified flashpoints would also be well secured, while officers would be deployed in the airport, train station, pipelines and borders to other states and countries.

“The commandant attributed the relative peace enjoyed in the state to the collaborative efforts of all the security agencies and total support of the state government.

“He reiterated that no stone would be left unturned by the agency to ensure peace and security before, during and after the festive period,” the spokesman said.

Afolabi said that patrol teams of Operation Harmony, armed squad and counter-terrorism units would be available to respond promptly to distress calls from members of the public.

He gave the telephone numbers that people could call during emergency as: 09073371297, 08062254163.