The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Alkali Baba, has ordered the Assistant Inspectors-General (AIG) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to coordinate security in their respective zones and states to ensure a smooth celebration of the 2021 independence anniversary celebrations.

Nigerians across the globe will be celebrating the 61st anniversary of the nation’s independence on Friday, 1st October 2021.

In a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba on Wednesday, the Police Boss also assured Nigerians of maximum security during the anniversary celebrations.

“Consequently, the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police in all the Zonal and State Commands and the FCT have been directed to lead the Independence Anniversary security operations from the frontline.

“They are to ensure high visibility and confidence-boosting patrols around the venues of the celebrations, residential areas and other places of public resort, to prevent any infiltration by hostile elements”, Mba said in a statement.

He added that the “IGP, while congratulating His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Nigerians at large, on the occasion of the Independence Anniversary celebration, pledged the unalloyed loyalty of the NPF to the sovereignty of the country as well as its unflinching commitment to combating crimes and criminality in the country and ensuring the safety of the citizenry”.

The IGP also called on citizens to go about the celebrations in the most peaceful and law-abiding manner.

He appealed for a new sense of Pan-Nigerian spirit, patriotism, love and deliberate efforts by leaders at all levels at deescalating ethnic tensions and suspicions in the land.

IGP Baba further enjoined the citizenry to continue to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies in fighting crimes and criminality in the country.