The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed D. Abubakar Thursday ordered a 24-hour surveillance of all telecommunication equipment and installations across the country.
Mr Abubakar gave this order sequel to recent security development in some parts of the country where these equipment and installations have become vulnerable and targets of attacks and destruction.
In a press release issued from the police Headquarters, Abuja, the deputy force public relations officer, Frank Mba said “the IGP has directed all State Commissioners of Police to constitute a Special Unit in their respective Commands, whose primary assignment will be to ensure the safety of telecommunication equipment and installations within their areas of jurisdiction.
“CPs are to further ensure that Area Commanders and DPOs in their Commands replicate the constitution of such Special Units in their respective areas, to protect installations located within their territories.
“State Commissioners of Police are further directed to ensure that personnel of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Counter-Terrorism Squads in their Commands are constructively involved in this crucial assignment.
“Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) have also been directed to supervise the activities all such Units constituted by Commissioners of Police, to ensure strict compliance with the directives of the IGP. They are to constitute similar Units that will assist State Commands within their Zones. AIGs and CPs are to provide dedicated lines in their respective Commands, to enable public spirited Nigerians who may have useful information, to volunteer same to the Police.
“While assuring the public that the Police will do everything within its power to arrest this emerging security trend, the IGP appealed to members of the public to assist the Force with vital information touching on the activities of these hoodlums. He particularly enjoined traditional rulers, community leaders, religious leader and parents to keep watchful eyes on their environment and to report any strange movement to the local Police authority.”
No fewer than 16 persons were on Thursday killed in both Damaturu and Potiskum, Yobe state as suspected sect member continued the destruction of telecommunication masts in Northern Nigeria.
The Damaturu destruction is coming just 24 hours after same operation was carried out by hoodlums in Maiduguri and Kano.
The vandalisation of telecommunication masts has disrupted smooth communication within and outside the affected states.
