As Christians mark this year’s Easter celebration, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos and Delta states’ commands, have deployed 3,206 officers to ensure adequate safety and security in the two states.

In Lagos, 2,250 officers and men were deployed  to worship centres, recreation parks, and other strategic points, spots and locations, while 956 personnel were deployed across Delta State in a bid to guarantee a hitch-free Easter celebration.

Lagos State NSCDC’s Commandant, Adedotun Keshinro, said the deployment was to ensure adequate security and protection of critical national assets and infrastructure in the state.

He, however, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to protecting citizens and all critical national assets and infrastructure in the state across all sectors of the nation’s economy.

Keshinro, who spoke while addressing the management staff, area commanders, divisional officers, tactical, operational and counter-terrorism commanders at the Command’s headquarters in Alausa, yesterday, said that operational strategies had been reinvigorated to rid the state of criminals and eradicate the nefarious activities of vandals and other criminal elements that could be inimical to its economic growth and development, especially before, during and after the celebration.

The NSCDC’s commandant, who said that the Lagos State Command of the Corps would also be collaborating with other sister security agencies across the state to achieve optimal success during the festive season, urged officers and men of the Command to bring the right and appropriate impetus on board to protect all strategic locations, points, facilities, right of ways, oil pipeline installations, religious and worship centres, parks, and gardens and all public and private places in the state before, during and after the celebration.

The Command gave the assurance that it would not also rest on its oars at this period but rather deploy both physical and non-physical assets; robust intelligence gathering, intensive patrols – physical and psychological, crime prevention mechanisms, special responses by Special Female Squad (SFS), Quick Intervention Squad approach (QIS) and collective security approach to ensure holistic security and safety during and after the celebration.

He, therefore, congratulated the Christian faithful in the state and admonished all to imbibe the tenets of our Lord Jesus Christ, which characterise the season, such as love, forgiveness, sacrifice, passion, compassion, mercy, humility, tolerance, among others.

Similarly, Delta State Commandant, Igbo Chinedu, announced the deployment as part of a “swift response” strategy targeting identified blackspots and flashpoints across the state.

He stressed that the personnel are expected to secure public spaces, critical infrastructure, and communities that historically experience spikes in criminal activity during holidays.

Chinedu, while addressing officers before the deployment, stressed the importance of professionalism and operational discipline, urging the personnel to go beyond routine patrols by aligning intelligence with proactive action.

He further charged the officers to prioritise protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, a mandate central to the NSCDC’s role, particularly in a state like Delta where oil facilities and public utilities remain frequent targets of vandalism.

The commandant expressed confidence in the Corps’ preparedness, assuring residents of a crime-free Easter celebration.

Chinedu also emphasised inter-agency collaboration, noting that the NSCDC personnel would work in synergy with other security outfits.

He, however, urged the residents to “celebrate without fear” as all hot spots are fully manned by the personnel.