Ahead of Eid-el-Fitr celebration which marks the end of Ramadan, military and police authorities in Kano have beefed up security to fortify the commercial city against terrorist attacks during the Sallah festivities.
After three months of relative peace in Kano, which gave residents the hope that the state was getting back to business, gunmen last week Monday re-enacted their reign of terror and bloodshed, leaving several people dead and many others injured.
In an interview with National Mirror in Kano yesterday, the spokesman for 3 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Capt. Ikedichi Iweha, admitted that the latest Kano bombing was an eye opener, adding that the residents were “too relaxed”.
The APRO added that to adequately secure the city for a hitch-free Eidel- fitri celebration, soldiers had been deployed to different locations in the capital city, adding that emphasis would be towards strengthening surveillance and vehicular patrol.
“We are putting heads together to see how best we can make arrangement for robust security in the state.” Iweha said that there would be increased presence of JTF operatives in different locations in the town, especially in volatile suburbs suspected of providing cover for Boko Haram sect members.
National Mirror also learnt that the military and the police would intensify patrols and raids in Dakata, Kurna Asabe, Hotoro, the university town of Kabuga, Badawa, Sharada and Panshekara, all identified as hot-beds of Boko Haram attacks.
It will be recalled that the hitherto huge security in the state capital was recently relaxed as the police ordered the dismantling of security barricades and checkpoints in apparent response to the peace the state enjoyed for three months.
Also in a statement yesterday by the Kano Police Command, the spokesman, Magaji Majiya Bompai, said it had made necessary arrangements to guarantee a hitch-free and successful Sallah celebration.
The statement warned that worshipers could only go to the mosque with their Qur’an and praying mats, adding that items other than those two would be considered security risk. It also advised parents to provide guides to their little/underage children during the period to prevent cases of missing children usually experienced during such celebrations, while underage and unlicensed persons are prohibited from driving.
The PPRO urged the public to assist the security agents in their efforts to ensure adequate protection of lives and properties by reporting suspected characters and objects to the nearest police station or security agencies nearest to them through its emergency numbers 08032419754 or 08123821575.
Also, to prevent terror attacks during the Eidel- Fitr, the JTF, has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Yobe State. JTF spokesman, Capt. Lazarus Eli, who disclosed this yesterday in a statement in Damaturu, said the curfew took effect from Monday.
He urged the residents to remain calm and cooperate with security men by remaining indoors until the curfew was lifted. Eli, however, expressed appreciation over the level of cooperation being exhibited by the people to ensure peace and security reign in the state.
The JTF spokesman urged the people not to relent in their efforts to provide useful information to security operatives for normalcy to return to the state.
Eli also advised the residents to report any suspicious movements or breach of peace in their communities or neighbourhood to the JTF for immediate action.
