FCT NSCDC deploys 3,500 personnel for Easter

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the Federal Capital Territory has deployed 3,500 personnel across the city to ensure the safety of lives and property during the Easter festivities.

The Commandant of the FCT Command, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, announced the deployment during a briefing in Abuja on Wednesday ahead of the holiday.

The command’s spokesperson, Monica Ojobi stated this in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Odumosu stressed the importance of a hitch-free celebration.

He said the move is aimed at safeguarding critical national assets, protecting residents and visitors, and maintaining law and order across the territory.

Personnel drawn from various 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, and others — will be stationed at strategic and vulnerable locations.

These include churches, shopping malls, recreational centres, markets, motor parks, amusement parks, the city gate, and the Three Arms Zone.

The commandant emphasised that he would personally be on patrol during the period to ensure full compliance, adding that any form of indiscipline or compromise would not be accepted.

Covert surveillance operations have also been activated in known blackspots and uncompleted buildings across the city to prevent any emergencies or criminal activity during the celebration.

“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”, the commandant charged.

Odumosu instructed all Area Commanders and Divisional Officers to ensure adequate deployment and visible presence in their jurisdictions, while encouraging collaboration with other security agencies to enhance operational efficiency.

He cautioned officers to maintain professionalism and avoid any form of harassment or intimidation of citizens, stressing that accidental discharge of firearms would be met with strict 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 warned

The command urged residents to remain vigilant and proactive, and to report any suspicious activities or individuals to the nearest security agency.

Odumosu also warned criminals and vandals to steer clear of critical infrastructure, noting that the NSCDC would not hesitate to bring offenders to justice.