TIGHT SECURITY IN JOS AS MUSLIMS CELEBRATE EID-EL FITR

The Muslims in Jos witnessed a peaceful Eid-el Fitr festival on Sunday, with increased security in parts of the capital of the Plateau.

A correspondent from the Nigeria News Agency (NAN), who visited certain strategic areas of the city, observed that more security personnel were deployed to ensure the safety of worshipers and recreational enthusiasts in recreational centers .

He also observed an increase in the number of checkpoints with Captain Adam Umar, spokesman for Operation Safe Haven (OSH) in charge of security in the Plateau, claiming that they were part of proactive measures to ensure Celebration without hindrance.

Umar said the security men had been detailed to specifically look for people with dangerous weapons.

“Personnel of the OSH are also patrolling areas considered as flashpoints. We also want to ensure total compliance to the ban against the use of tricycles and motorcycles during the period,” he said.

Umar said that soldiers had also been deployed to recreational centres like Jos Wild Park, Solomon Lar Amusement Park, the Jos Zoo among others, to protect fun seekers.

“Apart from deploying soldiers to worship centres, we have engaged and trained members of local vigilante to screen worshipers to ensure that no one had a dangerous weapon.

“For now, everything is calm. No bad incident has been reported, but we are not taking anything for granted,” he said.

Similar pro-active security measures were taken by the Plateau Police Command with Terna Tyopev, its spokesman, advising the sale and use of fireworks or other explosives.

“We also banned perching on moving vehicles and throwing of stones as well as the use abusive languages. We are happy that everyone has complied and everywhere is calm,” he said.