Ahead of this weekend’s Eid-el-Fitr celebrations, security agencies across Nigeria have ramped up personnel deployment to ensure public safety. Thousands of officers are being stationed at mosques, Eid prayer grounds, markets, shopping malls, motor parks, recreational centres, and locations housing critical national infrastructure.
The heightened security comes after Monday’s deadly multiple bomb explosions in Maiduguri, Borno State, which killed 23 people and injured 108 others, prompting increased vigilance in vulnerable areas.
The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has also called on Muslims to sight the crescent marking the end of Ramadan, with Thursday, March 19, and Friday, March 20, 2026, declared public holidays to mark Eid-el-Fitr and the start of Shawwal. The NSCIA urged anyone sighting the crescent to report to local leaders for confirmation by the Sultan of Sokoto.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has led significant deployments, with 4,000 personnel stationed across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja. Units include the Arms Squad, Female Strike Force, Counter-Terrorism Units, and Agro Rangers, tasked with protecting lives, property, and national assets.
Other states have also stepped up security:
Jigawa: 1,450 personnel deployed, with special teams on high alert to prevent criminal activity and safeguard farms and infrastructure.
Kano: Over 3,400 NSCDC personnel and 1,889 Federal Road Safety Corps officers deployed to prayer grounds, markets, motor parks, and other public spaces.
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Kwara: 2,350 operatives covering all 16 local government areas, with intelligence-driven operations to protect residents and critical infrastructure.
Edo: More than 2,000 personnel from specialized units stationed across the state, focusing on markets, highways, prayer grounds, and vulnerable points.
Commanders in all states have stressed inter-agency collaboration, proactive intelligence gathering, and rapid response measures to prevent incidents during the celebrations. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant, report suspicious activity, and exercise caution during the festivities.
The nationwide security effort underscores authorities’ commitment to ensuring that Eid-el-Fitr is observed peacefully despite recent security threats.
