The police in FCT said yesterday they would deploy 12 000 officers and men to ensure adequate security during and after Nigeria’s 50 years independence anniversary.

Mr Jimoh Moshood, the Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja that the number would be made up of 3,000 traffic wardens and 9,000 policemen.

Moshood said the police had worked out operational strategies to ensure a crime free FCT before, during and after the celebration.

He said:   “We are aware that the FCT will host many foreign heads of states and prominent people from within and outside the country.

“That is why we decided to use a large number of our men and officers to cover every part of the FCT.”

Moshood also said that the police had devised ways of addressing traffic problems during the anniversary, using the experience gathered in previous political activities.

He urged the public to cooperate with the police during the celebration, and said that the police would not achieve their objectives of protecting lives and property without cooperation.