The Federal Government has cancelled the parade earlier scheduled to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary on Wednesday, October 1.
The decision was announced in a statement issued Monday by Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
According to the statement, the cancellation does not diminish the significance of the milestone, and other programmes lined up for the anniversary will go ahead as planned.
“The federal government appreciates the understanding, support and cooperation of all Nigerians, members of the diplomatic community, and invited guests, and urges Nigerians to support the reforms of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, in making Nigeria a greater nation,” it read. The statement also expressed regret for any inconvenience caused.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has deployed 4,500 personnel across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure security before, during, and after the celebrations.
FCT Command spokesperson Monica Ojobi said the order was given by the Commandant, Dr. Olusola Odumosu, to safeguard lives, property, and critical national infrastructure.
She explained that the deployment covers specialised units, including the Female Strike Force, Arms Squad, Operation Adakasu, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure (CNAI), and the Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Explosives (CBRNE) team.
According to her, operatives have been stationed at soft targets such as shopping malls, markets, motor parks, amusement parks, recreational centres, prayer grounds, the Three Arms Zone, City Gate, and key government buildings.
She added that undercover operatives have been deployed for covert surveillance, while black spots, including uncompleted buildings, are being monitored to prevent security breaches.
