The Police have urged households to take extra caution and be vigilant during festival season.

Fred Enanga, the Police Spokesperson asked the public to put security measures around their businesses and homes to avoid falling prey to criminals.

“As we prepare to celebrate Christmas and all other festival days, we should be vigilant of our surroundings. This is a time when there is an influx of many people within towns,” Enanga said.

Speaking at the weekly press conference, Enanga said that in many city centres, they expect criminal elements to break into homes whose occupants have travelled to the villages to enjoy the festival season.

“We encourage that lights outside the houses should be switched on and avoid hiding spare keys under the front door mat, door tops, or window tops. It is very common nowadays that thieves know these tricks,” Enanga noted.

He also asked the business community to use armed guards and escorts when transporting or collecting cash, to help protect their belongings and money.

“We advise people not to move with cash that is too much, we encourage people to move with ATM cards. Again thugs waylay people on gates, you have to communicate to people before reaching the gate,” Enanga noted.

According to Enanga, there will also be increased patrols and visibility and other security interventions in different parts of the country throughout Christmas and the entire festival season.

He said that police teams that include the mobile squads, 999 patrol units, and motorcycle squads have been put in place to respond to any incidents.

“We shall continue to regularly review our levels of preparedness. Also, our joint intelligence components of the CMI, ISO, CI, and ESO are continuing to profile venues, hotspots, and individuals which are security risks,” Enanga said.