… NSCDC deploys 1,200 operatives to secure Edo
ABUJA – The 36 state governors, under the aegis of Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), have pledged tight security measures across the country to ensure an incident-free festive period.
The governors made the pledge in a communiqué issued after the NGF’s meeting in Abuja.
The communique was signed by the NGF Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara, and read by Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun.
The communique said that the governors at the meeting deliberated on issues, including the security challenge currently affecting the country.
“The forum received a communication from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) calling for heightened security preparedness across all states during the 2025 festive season, due to increased population movements, large public gatherings and heightened public safety risks.
“Governors are committed to strengthening inter-agency coordination, protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining a visible security presence in identified hotspots to ensure a safe, incident-free festive period nationwide,” it said.
The governors said that they received notification from the World Bank confirming the effectiveness of the additional financing for the Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES) programme.
This, according to them, will enable continued disbursements to states to support livelihoods, food security, public works and resilience-building interventions.
“Governors renewed their commitment to sustaining implementation momentum, ensuring timely reporting and maximising fund utilisation to deliver measurable outcomes for vulnerable households..
“The forum noted the outcome of the third edition of the Primary Health Care (PHC) Leadership Challenge Awards, held on Decembee 12, which recognised 13 states for outstanding progress in strengthening PHC systems.
“Yobe State emerged as the national overall winner, while Zamfara, Nasarawa, Abia, Rivers, and Osun topped their respective geopolitical zones; Kwara, Gombe, Kaduna, Anambra, Bayelsa, and Ogun were the first runners-up.
“Governors acknowledged that the results reflect the value of sustained political leadership and peer-driven accountability, and committed to building on these gains to further strengthen primary health care delivery nationwide,” the communique said
Meanwhile, thee Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Edo Command, has deployed 1,200 personnel across the state to ensure robust security during the Christmas and New Year festivities.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SC Efosa Ogbebor, disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday in Benin City.
Ogbebor said the State Commandant of the Corps, Saidi Akintayo, approved the operation as part of a proactive strategy to safeguard lives, property and critical national assets.
He added that the personnel were drawn from specialised tactical and operational units and strategically deployed across the three senatorial districts.
“This is to forestall criminal activities before, during and after the festive period.
“The deployment is designed to guarantee a peaceful and secure environment for residents and visitors throughout the Yuletide,” he said.
He explained that operatives have been deployed to places of worship, prayer grounds, event and recreational centres, major highways, markets and other vulnerable locations across the state.
The command’s spokesperson quoted the commandant as warning criminal elements to steer clear of Edo, stressing that the corps “will not hesitate to deal decisively with anyone found breaching the law.”
Ogbebor added that the NSCDC remained committed to working with other security agencies to ensure uninterrupted celebrations.
He urged residents to be vigilant and law-abiding, calling for timely reports of credible information to security agencies to aid crime prevention and swift response.
He also wished Christians in the state a Merry Christmas and extended the goodwill to all residents.
