Nigeria to deploy 40,000 security personnel, sniffer dogs ahead of Easter

In an effort to counter terrorism ahead of the Easter festivities, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) says it will deploy 40,000 personnel nationwide to maintain security.

The security agency said in a statement on Tuesday that its head, Abdullahi Muhammadu ordered the deployment including sniffer dogs to protect infrastructure.

Nigeria has been hit on multiple occasions by bomb blasts during religious festivals when worshippers and revelers gather to celebrate.

In July 2015, the Islamist militant group Boko Haram bombed a market in Nigeria’s north-eastern city of Gombe killing at least 49 people and injuring dozens on the eve of the Eid festival marking the end of Ramadan.

Earlier in 2011, a string of bombs struck churches in five Nigerian cities leaving dozens dead and wounded on Christmas day.

Boko Haram’s targets include police posts, markets, churches and places with big gatherings.