Police Deploy Over 1,000 Officers Across Maiduguri For Christmas

Police Deploy Over 1,000 Officers Across Maiduguri For Christmas.
Deployment followed deadly Gamboru Market mosque attack.
Zulum condemned attack and assured residents of safety.

The Borno State Police Command has intensified security across Maiduguri, deploying more than 1,000 officers to major roads, flashpoints, churches and other public places as Christians celebrate Christmas, following a deadly bomb attack in the city.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the explosion occurred around 6pm on Wednesday at the Al Adum Mosque in Gamboru Market, where worshippers had gathered for prayers. Five people were killed, while 35 others sustained injuries, heightening security concerns ahead of the festive season.

Speaking on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Nahum Daso, said the incident prompted the command to strengthen its existing security framework to protect residents and worshippers.

According to him, the operation is being carried out jointly with other security and emergency response agencies.

“There will be full domination of security personnel at churches, recreational centres, and strategic locations where people are massively going to. We are on standby,” Daso said. “It is a joint operation between the police and all emergency and security response teams. The command has deployed over 1,000 personnel within Maiduguri.”

He added, “Though there were earlier security arrangements, however, with what happened yesterday, we are making it more intense.”

Daso urged residents to remain calm but vigilant, encouraging them to go about their lawful activities while being alert to their surroundings.

“We call on members of the public to go about their lawful business. But they should be very mindful and careful of their surroundings and use the designated emergency response number,” he said. “Any suspicious person they see around them should be immediately reported.”

He also disclosed that security checks would be enforced at all worship centres.

“In terms of clearance, any individual going to churches must be properly scanned. And the same thing too for the mosque,” Daso said.

Meanwhile, Borno State Governor, Babagana Zulum, condemned the attack, describing it as barbaric and inhumane.

In a statement issued on Wednesday night by his Special Adviser on Media, Dauda Iliya, the governor expressed sadness over the incident and called for heightened vigilance.

“I am deeply saddened by the Gamboru mosque suicide attack which occurred on Wednesday evening when worshippers were performing Maghrib prayer, killing 5 people and injuring 35 others,” Zulum said. “The act is utterly condemnable, barbaric and inhumane.”

Police Deploy Over 1,000 Officers Across Maiduguri For Christmas

He added, “Attacking a place of worship is a desecration of the sanctity of the mosque at a time when Muslim faithful are performing acts of worship. I wish to express my condolences to the families of all those who lost their lives in the attack and pray for the repose of their souls, and for the speedy recovery of those injured.”