THE Federal Government has warned youths from the North and other agitating groups across the country against activities that will undermine the unity of Nigeria.
Minister of Interior, Lieutenant General Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau (Rtd), who gave this warning on Thursday in Abuja, said the will of the administration should not be tested as to its capability to deploy security agencies to deal with any individual or group that might threaten the corporate existence of the nation.
He also announced the declaration of Monday, June 26 and Tuesday, June 27, 2017 as public holidays to mark Eid-El Fitr celebration on behalf of the Federal Government.
He enjoined all Muslim faithful and Nigerians in general to use the occasion of the celebration for sober reflection and pray for peace, unity and progress of the nation in its march to nationhood.
In a statement signed by the Director overseeing the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Dr Rufa’i Kawu Attahiru, the minister, urged all Nigerians to shun hate speeches and divisive tendencies.
He, therefore, urges Nigerians to join hands with the government of President Muhammadu Buhari to build a peaceful, strong and united Nigeria, which guarantees fundamental freedoms, including the right of residence in any part of the country, as enshrined in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He reaffirmed the determination of the administration to protect all lives and property of Nigerians, saying “The will of the administration should not be tested as to its capability to deploy security agencies to deal with any individual or group that may threaten the corporate existence of the nation, as well as the peaceful co-existence of the people.”
The minister further assured Nigerians of the government’s resolve to be just and fair to all, while wishing Nigerians a peaceful and rewarding celebration.
Meanwhile, the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu has directed deployment of 40,000 personnel across the nation to provide maximum security during the Sallah festivity.
He assured Nigerians that in spite of the uncertain security situation in the country, adequate preparation has been made to protect critical areas such as places of worship, markets, motor parks, shopping malls, plazas, recreational centres, schools and other areas considered to be soft targets for attack by insurgents.
While calling on citizens to be extra vigilant and security conscious at all times, he charged them to report strange movements and objects to security personnel. The corps he said was prepared to protect all critical national assets such as telecommunication masts power equipment and oil and gas pipelines among others.
Gana, said in addition to the deployment of personnel, sniffer dogs and specialised units such as SWAT, Special Force, Surveillance Monitoring Team, ambulances and rescue officers would be deployed to critical areas to protect critical national assets and infrastructure, create secured environment for both travellers and non-travellers, to enhance general security of the cities and to ensure effective collaboration and synergy with other sister security agencies in guarantying a hitch free Eid-El-Fitir celebration.
He said: “In our efforts to fight miscreants and criminal-minded individuals who see festive periods as the time to perpetuate their nefarious activities, all hands must be on deck in the areas of intelligence-gathering and reporting all suspicious behaviour to relevant security authorities.”
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