As part of efforts to ensure a safe and peaceful Easter holiday in the Federal Capital Territory, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps has mobilized 3,500 personnel across Abuja.
The FCT Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, disclosed this during a pre-Easter security briefing held in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Monica Ojobi, also shared details of the deployment in an official statement released the same day.
According to Odumosu, the operation is aimed at safeguarding lives and property, protecting national infrastructure, and ensuring public order throughout the festive period.
Officers from multiple specialized units — including Operations, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives,, Mines and Steel, Special Protection Unit, Counter Terrorism Unit, Female Strike Force, among others, have been positioned at key and sensitive areas in the capital.
These strategic locations encompass worship centres, shopping malls, recreational spots, markets, amusement parks, transport hubs, the Abuja city gate, and the Three Arms Zone.
In reinforcing the Corps’ commitment to public safety, the commandant stated, “On no account should any critical infrastructure be vandalised during the Easter holiday, therefore, adequate deployment of personnel to all nooks and crannies of the FCT must be ensured.
“The government has given us a responsibility to protect lives and property, maintain peace, order and to keep miscreants and criminals at bay and, take note, they are observing our activities keenly.
“We have no excuse for failure and we can’t afford to fail, that is why personally, I will be on patrol as usual to ensure compliance and I would not tolerate any form of indiscipline, compromise or any activities that would jettison our efforts in providing satisfactory security coverage for the FCT,” he said.
He further directed Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to ensure optimal deployment within their zones, with a visible presence to boost public confidence.
He also stressed the need for collaboration with sister security agencies to improve coordination and effectiveness.
Odumosu warned officers against misconduct, highlighting that any form of harassment or accidental weapon discharge would attract serious consequences.
“Avoid harassment and intimidation of any citizen and there must be no accidental discharge from the arms bearers. If you do, you have yourself to blame,” he cautioned.
As part of the security strategy, covert surveillance teams have also been dispatched to monitor high-risk areas, including abandoned buildings and identified blackspots, to preempt any threat.
The NSCDC also appealed to residents to remain alert, urging them to report any suspicious behavior or individuals to the nearest security post.
Criminal elements were not left out of the warning, as Odumosu made it clear that any attempt to tamper with public assets would be met with decisive action.
“We have no excuse for failure and we can’t afford to fail,” he reiterated.
“The NSCDC would not hesitate to bring offenders to justice.”
