The Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police, in charge of Zone 5 Headquarters, Benin, Salman-Dogo Garba, has ordered strategic deployment of Police personnel and operational assets across the zone for the yuletide.

This is contained in a statement on Tuesday by SP Tijani Momoh, the Zonal Police Public Relations Officer (ZPPRO).

The zone 5, comprises Edo and Delta states.

Garba said that the deployment was to ensure a safe, peaceful, hitch-free and seamless yuletide celebration across the zone.

He also said that it was in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, to all zonal AIGs to strengthen security, intensify patrols, visibility policing, and other intelligence-led operations throughout the period.

“To this end, the deployment will focus on places of worship, recreational centres, markets, amusement parks, event venues, transport terminals and other densely populated areas.

“Additionally, patrol teams, surveillance units and traffic personnel have also been deployed to cover inter-state routes, major expressways, link roads to check road related crimes, and ensure free flow of traffic,” he said.

The AIG used the medium to extend warm greetings to all Christian faithful and other residents in the Zone as they celebrate the Christmas and New Year.

He enjoined the general public to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies in their efforts towards ensuring peaceful yuletide festivities.

He also advised the public to be security conscious and report any suspicious activity, person(s) or movement to the nearest police station.