From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
The Delta State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed a total of 2,979 of its personnel to provide security during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The State Commandant of the corps, Akinsanya Iskilu Abiodun, approved the deployment of the personnel flash points red zones across the state to forestall security breaches.
In a statement issued in Asaba, Public Relations Officer of NSCDC in the state, DSC Emeka Peters Okwechime, said the deployed officers had undergone a series of rigorous training, regiments, lectures, briefings and exercises.
According to him, the personnel were drafted from the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), snipper combatants, female squad, crack team, special forces, SWAT, tactical and dislodgers squad, rapid response squad, rejigged anti-vandal squad, department of intelligent and investigation, armament and buffalos, crisis management and disaster department amongst others.
Okwechime warned against the use of fireworks before, during and after the yuletide, stressing that it could induce fear, panic or apprehension in the state which might also misrepresent or misinform security agencies as some miscreant or hoodlums can hide or operate under the guise of fireworks to carry out their nefarious atrocities.
He reminded the public that the ban on the use of fireworks in the state has not been lifted so as to enable security forces to detect and determine when hoodlums are operating.
Stating that the command is committed to the protection of lives and property and the maintenance of peace and order in the state, Okwechime charged the public to renew their confidence in security agencies.
He urged the public to feel free to say something when they see something, even as he called on mischief makers to relocate elsewhere as they cannot survive the present security temperature of the state resulting from the robust synergy, cooperation and collaboration among various security agencies.
Okwechime enjoined members of the public to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of molestation, intimidation or apprehension.