Plateau Command Orders 24-Hour Watch on Crime

JOS — The Plateau State Police Command has launched an aggressive, state-wide security offensive to safeguard the simultaneous observance of the Christian Lenten season and the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. In a decisive mandate issued on Friday, February 20, 2026, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bassey Ewah, ordered the immediate commencement of 24-hour intensive surveillance across all 17 local government areas. This “siege on crime” follows a rare century-scale convergence where both faiths began their respective fasts on the same day. Consequently, the Command has activated its highest alert level to prevent criminal elements from exploiting the spiritual vulnerability of these sacred periods.

CP Ewah, the state’s 46th police chief, directed all Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to saturate “flashpoints” and strategic junctions with visible personnel and logistics. The directive specifically tasks the State Intelligence Department with a 24-hour watch over the movement of persons and vehicles at all entry and exit points. Furthermore, special tactical teams have taken up positions in border communities to intercept potential infiltrators seeking to disrupt the peace. While it is true that Plateau has enjoyed a relative lull in violence recently, the Command is taking no chances with opportunistic “celebration-period” crimes. Indeed, the CP warned that his leadership would not tolerate a “business as usual” approach to the safety of lives and property.

The Command has integrated a strong human rights component into this security surge. In a related development, CP Ewah reminded officers that the force remains strictly prohibited from searching citizens’ mobile phones on the road without a valid court order. Granted, the “stop and search” operations will intensify, but the Commissioner cautioned that any act of professional misconduct would face immediate disciplinary action. Notably, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Alfred Alabo, urged residents to utilize the Command’s dedicated emergency channels to report both suspicious activities and police overreach. Significantly, this move aims to bolster public trust, which remains a critical pillar for successful community-led intelligence gathering.

Above all, the security offensive responds to a national call for unity and vigilance during this unique double-fasting season. Subsequently, community leaders and religious bodies have been asked to synchronize their internal security arrangements with the official police patrols. Although the military remains active in the “Operation Safe Haven” theatre, the Police are now taking the lead in urban and semi-urban visible policing. This shift highlights a desire to restore Plateau’s reputation as a sanctuary for tourism and peaceful coexistence.

Finally, the success of this 24-hour surveillance will depend on the “swift and proactive” response of the tactical units to distress calls. Therefore, the Command has prioritized logistical readiness, ensuring that patrol vehicles and communication gear remain functional throughout the fast. As a result of this deployment, residents can expect a significant increase in police presence at places of worship and recreation centers. However, the quest for a “hitch-free” religious season remains the utmost priority for the Ewah-led administration.