As Kwara State prepares for the 2025 Christmas and New Year celebrations, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has initiated a major security operation to ensure public safety. The Command has announced the strategic deployment of 2,380 personnel across all 16 Local Government Areas, a move designed to preempt threats and guarantee a peaceful Yuletide season for residents and visitors alike.
This significant deployment, confirmed in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ayoola Shola, in Ilorin on December 20, 2025, transcends routine holiday patrols. It represents a layered, intelligence-driven security architecture. The operation has a threefold mandate: to fortify the protection of Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (such as power installations, communication hubs, and government facilities), safeguard public spaces like markets, worship centers, and recreational areas, and ensure the general safety of citizens throughout the festivities.
The strength of this deployment lies in its composition. Personnel have been drawn from the Corps’ elite and specialized units, each bringing unique capabilities to the security matrix:
- Armed Squad: Provides visible deterrence and armed response capability.
- Operational Harmony & Counter-Terrorism Unit: Focuses on intelligence gathering, pre-emptive operations, and responding to high-threat scenarios.
- Anti-Vandal Unit: Specifically tasked with protecting oil pipelines, electrical cables, and other public utilities from sabotage and theft—a crucial function during periods when official monitoring may be perceived as relaxed.
- Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosive (CBRNE) Unit: This highly specialized unit is equipped to detect and respond to unconventional threats, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs), reflecting a modern approach to securing large public gatherings.
The statement emphasized that officers are not being deployed uniformly but are being strategically positioned based on specific threat assessments and operational requirements. This means concentrations will be higher in identified hotspots, major transit corridors like the Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa road, and areas with high foot traffic, ensuring resources are used efficiently where risk is greatest.
Recognizing that security is a collective effort, the Kwara NSCDC Command has affirmed its commitment to robust inter-agency collaboration. The Corps will work in concert with the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian Army, as well as integrate local vigilante groups who possess invaluable community intelligence. This synergy is designed to eliminate security gaps, enable seamless communication, and ensure rapid, coordinated response to any incident across the state.
A direct warning was issued to criminal elements: The Command is fully prepared to confront any attempt to disrupt public peace or tamper with critical assets. This declaration serves as a clear deterrent to vandals, thieves, and troublemakers who might see the festive period as an opportunity for illicit activities.
Finally, the NSCDC underscores the role of the public as a force multiplier in security. Citizens are urged to adopt a heightened state of vigilance—practicing situational awareness in crowded places, securing their homes while traveling, and monitoring their surroundings. The Command implores residents to immediately report any suspicious persons, unattended items, or unusual activities to the nearest security post or via official channels. This partnership between the security forces and the community is the ultimate key to a secure and joyful celebration.
Source: NAN (www.nannews.ng). Edited by Maureen Ojinaka/Tayo Ikujuni.
