Easter Holiday: Federal Govt Places Security Men On Red Alert

Soldiers, policemen deployed in Kuje, Civil Defence personnel, others on nationwide patrol

Security personnel have been placed on alert nationwide as the country joins the rest of the world to mark Easter celebration, LEADERSHIP Weekend has learnt.

Security sources said signals were sent to them from their headquarters to guard sensitive and other areas in order to avoid what they described as ‘embarrassments by agents of darkness’ as the nation marks the Christian feast.

It was also gathered that the government had ordered tight security around the nation’s custodial centres in order to avoid jail breaks.

Security sources confided in our correspondent that commanders were similarly directed to post their men to areas described as possible soft targets by bandits and terrorists.

One of those posted to a sensitive area in Niger State, who spoke with LEADERSHIP Weekend, said, ‘‘We were asked to patrol streets and important areas in my area. We will man churches, other places of worship like where Christians go on Mondays which is called Galilee to meet Jesus after his resurrection.

‘‘We were also asked to station our men in markets, shops and other areas where people gather. As we speak, our men are everywhere, in order to make the holiday peaceful across the state.’’

It was also gathered that the signals from the police headquarters to their state commands and the army headquarters to their divisions across the country had been delivered.

 

 Prison Officials On Alert Nationwide

A source at the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed that the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) command, in coordination with the National Headquarters, had placed the Kuje area under heightened security alert following reports of a potential security threat to the Kuje Correctional Facility .

The top source who asked not to be named told our correspondent that “though it’s a rumour, we are at red alert. There’s a saying, ‘once bitten, twice shy.’ We have done the needful, deploying equipment, gadgets, and ground forces in and around Kuje ,  and in fact, nationwide .

“We have advised residents to remain calm. The curfew is in effect, and crack personnel and a chain of joint security forces are on the ground to ensure that past incidents are not repeated.”

This comes amid growing tension in Kuje Area Council, where residents reported the enforcement of a nighttime curfew and increased military presence in parts of the community.

The official of the Correctional Service, who acknowledged that Kuje Prisons had in the past been the focus of national security due to its proximity to critical facilities, said previous security incidents in the region, including the last major attack on the facility, highlighted vulnerabilities.

He, however, revealed that the authorities had since addressed the matter through strengthened surveillance, intelligence gathering, and rapid-response capabilities that has been fixed.

“The country isn’t easily going to again let innocent blood spilled. President Bola Tinubu isn’t sleeping; he wants the nation secured effectively, and for the minister of interior, Dr Olubummi Tunji-Ojo , every life matters

“He is isn’t sleeping; he is bent on ensuring not just the facility at Kuje, but the area as well is safe from attacks. He has spelt out the warning and the NCoS controller has vowed to deliver on this mandate.”

Highlighting the current security measures put in place at the facility, the top source said, “Surveillance upgrades such as  Closed-circuit Television (CCTV) cameras and other monitoring equipment have been installed to provide real-time situational awareness, while a huge deployment of personnel from specialised units have been strategically positioned to secure critical locations and ensure quick response.”

He added that residents had been briefed on safety protocols and asked to comply with curfew directives to minimise risk in the event of any attack.

The source further emphasied that the lives of residents, personnel, and inmates at the facility remain the top priority, noting that the authorities are committed to taking proactive measures to prevent any recurrence of past ugly incidents.

When contacted, another source at the ministry of interior who pleaded not to be named due to the sensitive nature of the issue urged residents to remain vigilant, avoid spreading unverified information, and report suspicious activities to official channels.

“As a ministry saddled with the mandate  of internal security, we will continue to monitor the situation closely while coordinating with community leaders to ensure public safety.

“We are on alert. Necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of the facility and inmates,” the source said.

 

Background: Kuje Facility’s Security History

The situation has revived concerns due to the history of security breaches at the Kuje Correctional Facility.

LEADERSHIP Weekend recalls that in July 2022, the facility was attacked by heavily armed insurgents, leading to the escape of hundreds of inmates, including high-profile detainees. The incident raised serious questions about the security architecture of custodial centres across the country.

Since then, authorities have announced several measures aimed at strengthening security in correctional facilities, including increased surveillance, improved perimeter fences, and closer collaboration with other security agencies.

Our correspondent recalls that during the attack that took place four years ago, the terrorists implicated in the Madalla Catholic Church bombing, Kabiru Sokoto, and Nyanya Motor Park bombing, Aminu Ogwuche, both in Abuja, were among the 64 high-profile Boko Haram terrorists and 264 other hardened criminals set free by invaders of the Kuje Medium Correctional Centre, Abuja, on that fateful Tuesday night in July 2022.

The Nyanya bombing, which occurred on April 14, 2014, killed 88 people and injured over 200 others, while the Madalla Christmas Day bombing in 2011 claimed the lives of 44 worshippers and left 75 others injured.

LEADERSHIP Weekend reported at the time that no fewer than 551 of the 879 inmates who escaped from the Kuje Medium Custodial Centre were successfully recaptured.

Meanwhile, Islamic State West Africa Province (SWAP) had claimed responsibility for the attack on the correctional centre that Tuesday night.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), in a statement by its then spokesperson, Abubakar Umar, revealed that 443 recaptured inmates and 108 others who refused to flee, bringing the total to 551, were in custody, while 328 inmates remained at large.

The service also disclosed then that 16 inmates sustained varying degrees of injuries, while four inmates and a Civil Defence officer attached to the facility lost their lives.

 

Heightened Vigilance

LEADERSHIP Weekend writes that while there has been no official confirmation of an imminent attack, the visible deployment of security personnel and the alertness of the Correctional Service officials  suggest heightened vigilance.

 

Easter: Police deploy personnel, assets across Lagos

In Lagos State, the commissioner of police (CP) Mr Fatai Tijani has ordered a massive deployment of personnel and operational assets across the state ahead of the Easter celebrations.

Tijani said this in a statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola Adebisi, on Friday in Lagos.

He assured residents of adequate security before, during, and after the festivities.

The CP said the command had put in place comprehensive and proactive security architecture to ensure a peaceful, safe, and hitch-free celebration across the state.

He said officers and resources had been deployed to key locations, including worship centres, recreational facilities, major highways, transportation hubs, and other critical public infrastructure to guarantee maximum security coverage.

“Special attention has been given to riverine communities, with the Marine Police positioned for enhanced surveillance and patrol to prevent criminal activities and ensure safety along the waterways.

“The police is working closely with relevant agencies to implement effective traffic management measures aimed at ensuring the free flow of traffic throughout the festive period,”  he said.

He wished Christians a happy Easter, urging them to reflect on the values of love, sacrifice, and peaceful coexistence that come with the season.

The CP reaffirmed the command’s commitment to the protection of lives and property, stressing the importance of community partnership in effective policing.

He also called on residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious persons or activities.

 

NSCDC mobilises 2,000 personnel across Edo for Easter

To ensure a safe and hitch-free Easter celebration in Edo State, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, has deployed over 2,000 personnel across the state.

The state commandant of the corps, Mr Saidi Akintayo, disclosed this on Thursday in Benin while addressing journalists.

Akintayo said that the deployment formed part of proactive measures to guarantee security before, during and after the festive period.

According to him, the personnel are drawn from specialised units of the corps and strategically positioned across the three senatorial districts.

He said that critical public locations, including markets, highways, recreational centres and worship grounds, would be adequately secured to prevent criminal activities and safeguard lives and property.

“This deployment is aimed at ensuring a peaceful, safe and hitch-free Easter celebration for all residents, particularly Christian faithful observing the period,” he said.

The NSCDC boss added that the command would work closely with other security agencies to ensure robust security coverage and prompt response to emergencies.

He also directed Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to intensify patrols, strengthen intelligence gathering and sustain proactive security operations across their jurisdictions.

While felicitating with Christians on the completion of the Lenten season, he urged residents to celebrate responsibly and in accordance with the law.

He warned individuals with criminal intent to stay away from the state, stressing that the corps remained fully prepared to deal decisively with any threat to peace and security.

The commandant reaffirmed the commitment of the corps to protecting critical national assets and ensuring the safety of residents throughout the Easter period.

 

FRSC inaugurates special patrol, deploys 860 personnel in Edo for Easter

For its part, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Edo Command, inaugurated a special patrol operation for the Easter period, deploying 860 personnel and logistics to reduce road traffic crashes across the state.

The corps announced this in a statement by the Sector Public Education Officer, Patricia Onwochei, on Thursday in Benin.

Onwochei said that the operation, which began on Wednesday, would run till April 8, and was in line with the directive of the Corps Marshal to ensure safer roads during the festive season and beyond.

She said that a total of 860 personnel comprising 510 regular marshals and 350 special marshals had been mobilised for the special operation.

She also said that patrol vehicles, ambulances, heavy-duty trucks and power bikes had been deployed to ensure effective coverage across the state.

Onwochei added that the patrol would focus on critical traffic offences such as excessive speeding, dangerous driving, use of mobile phones while driving, overloading and other violations that contribute significantly to road crashes.

“The Easter special patrol is aimed at achieving a reduction in road traffic crashes during the celebration and beyond, through intensified enforcement and traffic control measures,” she said.

She revealed that the personnel had been strategically deployed to monitor highways, manage traffic flow and respond promptly to emergencies.

She urged motorists to comply with traffic regulations and prioritise safety, stressing that strict enforcement would be sustained throughout the period to protect lives and property.

 

NSCDC rolls out security operation in Kaduna

In Kaduna, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Kaduna Command deployed 1,500 personnel across the state to ensure a peaceful and secure environment during the Easter celebrations.

The state commandant of the NSCDC, Panam Musa, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Kaduna by the command’s spokesman,  Habeeb Badamasi.

He said the deployment was part of a comprehensive security operation designed to provide adequate coverage before, during and after the festivities.

According to him, personnel had been strategically deployed to churches, major junctions, critical infrastructure and recreational centres to prevent any breach of the peace.

He added that Divisional Officers had also been directed to take charge of their respective areas and ensure strict compliance with operational directives, while also adopting proactive measures to deter criminal activities.

The commandant further said Area Commanders had been mandated to coordinate divisions under their supervision, to strengthen surveillance, monitoring and rapid response mechanisms across the state.

 

 Catholic Bishop urges Federal Govt to intensify fight against insecurity

Also, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Enugu, Most Rev. Ernest Obodo, has urged the federal government to urgently address the worsening insecurity across the country.

Obodo made the call on Thursday during the Chrism Mass officiated by the Catholic Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Most Rev. Callistus Onaga, at the Holy Ghost Cathedral, Enugu.

Our correspondent reports that Chrism Mass is a significant Catholic liturgical celebration held during Holy Week and symbolises the unity of priests with their bishop and features the consecration of the Sacred Chrism, as well as the blessing of the Oil for the Sick and the Oil of Catechumens.

The bishop, in his homily, lamented that the nation was “sinking” under the weight of insecurity, stating that many citizens were being killed daily without adequate response from authorities.

He cited a recent incident during Palm Sunday at Jos, where dozens of people were reportedly killed, noting discrepancies between official figures and accounts from local residents.

“The problems in this country are too much. People are being killed every day. The federal government must act urgently to protect lives and property — that is its primary responsibility,” he said.

Obodo also raised concerns over what he described as attempts to weaken opposition parties and push Nigeria toward a one-party system, warning that such a move would not work in the country’s democratic setting.

According to him, leaders should prioritise governance and security over political manoeuvring, adding that many Nigerians, including women and families, were in distress due to the current situation.

He further criticised rising national debt and questioned government priorities amid widespread hardship.

On electoral matters, the cleric expressed fear that proposed changes to the Electoral Act might undermine transparency, particularly regarding real-time transmission of election results.

In spite of these challenges, Obodo urged Nigerians to remain prayerful, stressing the importance of spiritual action alongside civic responsibility.

“We complain a lot without praying enough. There is power in prayer. We must rise, defend what is right, and ask God to intervene in the affairs of this nation,” he said.

The bishop also called on Christians in positions of authority to speak up and act, noting that silence in the face of injustice contributes to the nation’s challenges.

He urged priests to remain steadfast in their vocation, to proclaim the Word of God without fear and to celebrate each Mass with renewed devotion.

He also emphasised the importance of evangelism and called on the faithful to support priests through prayers rather than criticism.