NSCDC Deploys 700 Personnel to Secure Gombe for Eid-el-Fitr Celebrations

By Auwal Ahmad

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Gombe State Command, has mobilised 700 officers and personnel to ensure adequate security during the 2026 Eid-el-Fitr celebrations scheduled for March 19 to 21.

Chief Superintendent of Corps Buhari Saad, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, issued a statement disclosing this information.

The statement indicates that the personnel will strategically deploy across the state to maintain peace and protect lives and property throughout the festive period.

The operation will cover Eid prayer grounds, Hawan Durbar routes, recreational centres, markets, motor parks, and other public places. It will also include the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, both public and private.

The NSCDC said its personnel would work closely with other security agencies to guarantee a smooth and incident-free Sallah celebration across the state.

State Commandant, CC Jibrin Idris, has directed all officers to carry out their duties with a high level of professionalism and vigilance. He stressed the need for discipline and commitment in ensuring public safety during the celebrations.

He also extended warm Eid-el-Fitr greetings to Muslims in Gombe State and across Nigeria, urging them to celebrate peacefully.

The Commandant further appealed to residents and visitors to remain law-abiding and report any suspicious activities to security agencies. He reassured the public of the Corps’ readiness, alongside its partners, to safeguard lives and property throughout the festive period.

Airspace Tensions Ground Flights: Ethiopian Airlines Suspends 10 Middle East Routes

Africa’s largest carrier, Ethiopian Airlines, has announced the cancellation of flights to 10 destinations across the Middle East following airspace closures triggered by rising security concerns in the region.

In a statement issued on Monday, the airline disclosed that it had expanded its earlier suspension of four routes to include six additional destinations, bringing the total number of affected cities to ten.

The suspended routes cover major hubs, including Amman, Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dammam, Doha, Manama and Kuwait City. Flights to key cities in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, have also been temporarily halted.

The airline advised passengers travelling to or from the affected destinations to regularly check their flight status through its official website and other digital platforms to avoid disruption.

“Ethiopian Airlines is closely monitoring developments in the region and will take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and convenience of its passengers and crew,” the statement read.

The decision underscores the growing impact of regional instability on international aviation, as airlines adjust operations in response to evolving security dynamics.