For the first time in the last three years, the country is experiencing a Christmas celebration devoid of bomb attacks by insurgents.
The celebration across the nation yesterday ended without any such untoward incidence as most people went about the celebration under the watchful eyes of the security agencies.
In the nation’s capital, Abuja, most of the recreational grounds and relaxation park were a bee-hive as celebrants besieged the fun places eating, drinking and taking photographs in celebratory mood.
At the time of going to press, most of the reports from the various states in the country showed that Nigerians in their large numbers thronged fun spots in their localities with their families and loved ones to mark the Christmas celebration.
From Lagos to Plateau, and from Katsina to Imo State, reports filed in gave indications that there was heavy presence of police and other security operatives to ensure that hoodlums and mischief-makers did not have any leeway to operate.
Although some of the reports noted that the celebration was low-keyed, there were no reports of attacks even in states where attacks, especially by insurgents, have been rife.
In Abuja, like in most parts of the country, security operatives were seen conducting stop-and-search on most motorists on the highway. The operatives were also seen at major markets conducting searches on traders and customers alike as they trooped into the market.
The worship places were not left out of the scrutiny as most churches held their services with security operatives nearby.
The inspector-general of Police, IGP Suleiman Abba, who joined his colleagues in patrolling every nook and cranny of the FCT, explained why most parts of the country experienced a hitch-free Christmas celebration was because security agencies nipped planned attacks by insurgents in the bud.
Abba who made the disclosure yesterday after a land patrol of most parts of the FCT and its environs said security agencies have continued to receive signals of planned attacks by the insurgents.
According to the police boss, reports from across the country, so far, have indicated that the Christmas has been celebrated without any bad incident, adding, “but this will not make us relax.
“The police, as well as, other agencies involved in law enforcement and security activities have beefed up operations to make sure that people enjoy the festivities, to make sure that people celebrate with some sense of safety in them.”
The IG who was accompanied by the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Wilson Inalegwu, was seen mingling with fun seekers at the Abuja lake at the end of the patrol and taking group photographs.
IGP Abba had earlier embarked on aerial patrol/surveillance on Christmas Eve, to the Abuja-Lokoja, Lokoja-Benin, Abuja-Minna and Abuja-Kaduna highways as part of strategies to ensure security during the celebration.
In Jos, the Plateau State capital, residents celebrated Christmas festival under tight security. Our correspondent observed that along the major roads in the Tin city, stern looking security personnel were seen conducting a stop-and- search exercises on vehicles and passengers.
Besides, security operatives like Department of State Security (DSS), Police, the Special Task Force on Jos crisis, STF and member of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were seen patrolling the streets of Jos.
In Niger State, the Christmas celebration went on smoothly and peaceful with
Meanwhile, the Lagos State governor Babatunde Fashola has urged Nigerians to embrace the virtues of peaceful coexistence and refrain from fanning the embers of disunity.
Fashola, in his Christmas goodwill message to the residents of the state, said that as the 2015 general elections approaches, it is only through peaceful co-existence that Nigeria can make the desired progress.
The gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Adamawa State, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu felicitated with the Christian community over the celebration of Christmas.
Ribadu urged Christians in Nigeria to emulate Jesus Christ whose mission he said, was to entrench peace, love unity and understanding among people.
