Independence Day: Police deploy choppers, gunboats ahead of Nigeria's 57th anniversary

The deployment was done to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful independence anniversary celebration across the country on Sunday.

The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris has deployed surveillance helicopters and marine gunboats to patrol riverine areas and other violent-prone places in the country.

The deployment was done to ensure a hitch-free and peaceful independence anniversary celebration across the country on Sunday, October 1.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, disclosed this in a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, September 30.

He explained that the IG had also ordered the state Commissioners of Police and the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of zonal commands to carry out massive deployment of police operatives.

The deployment also involved the conventional policemen, Police Mobile Force personnel, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Special Police Forces, Force Intelligence and Investigation Department for covert and overt operations.

According to the statement, mounted troops and the dogs section were also deployed for crowd control and crime prevention at venues of celebration and recreation during the period and beyond.

Moshood said, "The personnel are under strict instructions to be civil, polite but firm in the discharge of their responsibilities.

"They are to pay special attention to places of celebrations, public places and other locations where people will gather to celebrate the Independence anniversary."

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The police added that sustained surveillance and proactive crime prevention strategies would be adopted, while the ongoing raids of criminal hideouts, black spots, identified troubled spots and other vulnerable points to remove criminal elements would continue throughout the period.

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