No fewer than 1,100 National Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel have been deployed in Bauchi to ensure hitch-free Christmas and new year celebration.

Garkuwa Adamu, the corps spokesman in Bauchi disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Bauchi.

The statement said Nuraddeen Abdullahi, the state commandant of the corps, also ordered the personnel to cover all the worship and recreational centres, ‘black spots,’ ‘flash points’ as well as strategic locations in the state.

Mr Abdullahi said the order was to ensure protection of lives and property as well as critical national assets and infrastructure in the state.

“Also, patrolling will be intensified to nip in the bud any criminal activity capable of jeopardising the peace being enjoyed in the state.

“The commandant urges Christian faithful to seize the opportunity to pray for peace of the nation, and be involved in alms giving in line with the teachings of Jesus Christ,” said Abdullahi.

It also said the commandant advised the citizens of the state to be law abiding.

The commandant urged residents to also report any suspicious persons and activities noted in and around them.