The Benue command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed no fewer than 1,740 of its personnel across the state to provide water-tight security before, during and after the yuletide.

This is contained in a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Michael Ejelikwu, and made available to journalists on Thursday in Makurdi. The command, in the statement, expressed its readiness to provide security and ensure a peaceful, hitch-free, free celebration in line with the NSCDC Commandant General’s directive. The statement indicated that the deployment of officers and men was a well-coordinated and robust operational order geared toward achieving the protection of all critical national assets and infrastructures. “The goal is to ensure that critical national assets and infrastructures and other public utilities and worship centres are protected. “The deployment would also ensure that Area Commanders, Divisional Officers, and Location Commanders supervise and ensure compliance at the areas of jurisdiction. “We must ensure that we are awake to enable Benue people to sleep with their two eyes closed”, the statement said. It further quoted the State Commandant, Mr Yakubu Ibrahim, to have admonished all officers and men to be thorough and professional and should operate within the perimeter of the corps Code of Conduct and rule of engagement. While wishing all Christian faithful the blessings that come with the birth of Jesus Christ, Ibrahim urged every resident of the State to be law abiding and to collaborate with security agencies by providing actionable intelligence. (NAN)