21st December, 2012
The Police in Nigeria’s Gombe State on Thursday urged residents of the state to be on the look out for explosive devices that could be packaged in Christmas hampers as gifts for people.
The warning was contained in a statement issued in Gombe by DSP. Fwaje Atajiri, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the state’s Police Command.
He said that such bomb-laden parcels could then be dispatched to unsuspecting members of the public as goodwill gifts.
“Members of the public should be wary of hamper gifts and parcels as they could contain Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs),” he said.
Gombe, along with nearby Bauchi state had recorded several attacks by the Boko Haram insurgents.
Atajiri said that citizens should also take other precautionary measures to ensure hitch-free Christmas and New Year celebrations.
He also told religious and community leaders to assist the police with useful information to protect lives and property.
The PPRO said that religious leaders should “educate their followers to avoid being poisoned.
“Motorists are also advised to obey traffic lights and all regulations as unnecessary disobedience may be fatal.
“Motorists should endeavour to put security gadgets in their vehicles to forestall theft,” he said, assuring that the command would ensure a peaceful Christmas and New Year celebrations.