The Lagos State Government on Wednesday warned residents to desist from holding open processions during the yuletide season.

Briefing Government House Correspondents shortly after an emergency State Security Council meeting, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said the Council decided to stop any form of procession due to intelligence reports on security, which indicated the possibility of such processions being hijacked by hoodlums and criminal elements.

He therefore urged them to limit such gatherings to the enclosure of a venue.

The Police Commissioner maintained that in as much as the government would like residents to celebrate the yuletide with all the fanfare associated with the season, the security situation across the globe requires everyone to be on red alert, in order to prevent unscrupulous elements from unleashing terror on innocent citizens.

He, however, said that the state was not under any special security threat, adding that proactive measures have been put in place to forestall any breakdown of law and order.

“We all know that Christmas and New Year are fast approaching. Looking at what we have on ground in terms of strategies and logistics, the Council is convinced that we can reassure people in Lagos that this period of yuletide will be celebrated without hindrance.” (Channels TV)

•Photo shows Lagos Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, with Governor Akinwumi Ambode.