Eid-el-Fitr Security: IG orders nationwide police deployment to prayer grounds, public spaces

As Muslims across Nigeria prepare to mark Eid-el-Fitr, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered a nationwide deployment of tactical assets, signalling heightened security concerns around large public gatherings during the festive period.

The directive, which cuts across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, was confirmed in a statement issued on Friday by the Force spokesperson, Anthony Placid, outlining a broad security strategy aimed at preventing potential threats.

According to the statement, Commissioners of Police and Tactical Commanders have been instructed to roll out comprehensive security measures, including the strategic positioning of personnel and intelligence operatives in key locations.

“Operational measures include strategic deployment of tactical teams and intelligence operatives, deployment of the Special Intervention Squad and conventional police personnel to Eid prayer grounds and critical infrastructure, and increased presence at highways, motor parks, recreational centres, and other public spaces to ensure peaceful and hitch-free celebrations,” the statement read.

Security sources indicate that the scale of deployment reflects ongoing concerns over crowd control, crime prevention, and the need to safeguard critical infrastructure during peak festive movement across the country.

The Inspector-General also ordered intensified surveillance operations, coordinated patrols, and intelligence-led stop-and-search duties, measures seen as proactive steps to deter criminal activity and enable rapid response to any emerging threats.

While extending goodwill to Muslim faithful on the successful completion of Ramadan, Disu’s message carried a strong security undertone, urging citizens to remain alert and actively support policing efforts.

He called on the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies and report suspicious activities through designated emergency channels, as authorities work to maintain order and prevent disruptions during the celebrations.