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• Police on red alert –IGP •Assures Nigerians of safety
From Desmond Mgboh, Kano and Molly Kilete, Abuja
Following the escalation of the Middle East crisis, which has already claimed the Iranian Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei’s life, as a result of recent joint US-Israeli air strikes, members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, yesterday took to the streets of Niger, Kaduna and Kano states as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to protest the killing.
The demonstrators, who are simply known as Shittes, trooped out in their numbers at about 2.30 pm in the afternoon in Kano and trekked from the Fegge Central Mosque, the Movement’s headquarters in the state capital.
The demonstration, adjudged peaceful, lasted for about two hours, terminating at about 4pm.
The demonstration was followed by speeches by their scholars, who spoke about the state of affairs in the Middle East and its implications on the rest of the world. A special prayer was also offered seeking Allah’s intervention for the people of Iran.
However, the acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed all Commissioners of Police in the 36 states and the FCT, with particular attention to the North West, North East and North Central zones, to heighten surveillance and intelligence gathering as well as strengthen collaboration with traditional and religious leaders.
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The IGP, who warned that Nigeria would not serve as a theatre for foreign conflicts, said any attempt to import external ideological or religious tensions into the country would be met with the full weight of the law.
He has, therefore, directed the police commissioners to enhance visibility policing around worship centres and public spaces and swiftly address any attempt by individuals or groups to exploit global developments to incite unrest or sectarian tension.
The IGP, in a statement by the force public relations officer, Benjamin Hundeyi, in Abuja, assured Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives, property and national peace, in light of evolving geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their potential global implications
Disu, while noting that Nigeria remains stable and its internal security situation firmly under control, said the Force had reinforced proactive, intelligence-led policing measures across the country.
He called on community leaders nationwide to continue promoting peace and urged citizens to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, urging them to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police formation.
He said the Nigeria Police Force remains resolute, prepared and fully committed to safeguarding every Nigerian and maintaining national security at all times.
