By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Ahead of Tuesday’s public holiday to mark this year’s Eid-El Maulid, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Anambra State Command, has rolled out strategic security measures to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration across the state with the deployment of 750 personnel.

A statement issued by the state’s NSCDC spokesman, SC Okadigbo Edwin, the Command said that the measures are in line with an operational order released for the assignment.

According to the statement, the state Commandant, Maku Olatunde, stated that the Corps will perform its core mandate of safeguarding lives and property during the festive period.

He noted that the celebration, which honours the birth of the Holy Prophet Muhammad calls for unity, tolerance, and mutual respect among all Nigerians.

The statement partly reads: “Eid-El Maulid is a season that reminds us of compassion, humility and service to humanity. As a Corps, we are duty-bound to ensure that residents and worshippers observe the celebration in a peaceful atmosphere without fear of breakdown of law and order.

“To this end and upon the directives of the State Commandant, Area Commanders and their respective Divisional Officers have been tasked with the robust deployment of personnel and resources to Critical National Assets and Infrastructure, including places of worship, markets, motor parks, major junctions, recreational centres and other public gathering points to forestall any act of criminality most importantly vandalism.

“The Special Female Squad, Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Agro Rangers Unit, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives Unit (CBRNE) have also been placed on red alert to respond swiftly to any security threat.”

The Commandant further called on residents to remain vigilant and to cooperate with the NSCDC and other sister security agencies by reporting any suspicious movement or activity within their communities.

He charged Muslim faithful in the state to celebrate with restraint and to use the occasion to offer prayers for peace, unity and progress of Nigeria.

Maku further congratulated the Muslim faithful on Eid-El Maulid and wished them a celebration filled with peace and joy.