The Borno State Police Command has urged residents to heighten vigilance and cooperate with security agencies as Muslims enter the spiritually significant final ten days of Ramadan.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Nahum Daso, the command noted that the closing phase of the holy month is typically marked by increased night-time activities, including Tafsir sessions, communal Iftar gatherings, and extended prayers such as Tahajjud.

Daso said the command recognises the deep religious importance of this period but warned that large crowds and late-night movements can create opportunities for criminal elements if basic precautions are ignored.

He advised residents to remain alert to their surroundings, avoid unnecessary loitering, and promptly report suspicious persons, movements, or unattended objects to the nearest police station or via the command’s emergency lines.

Parents and guardians were specifically cautioned against leaving children unattended in mosques, markets, and other crowded locations, with the police stressing that minors are particularly vulnerable during mass gatherings.

Acting on directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Naziru Abdulmajid, the command has ordered intensified patrols, surveillance, and strategic deployments across Maiduguri and other parts of Borno to deter attacks and reassure worshippers.

The advisory comes as Muslims prepare for Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power, which falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan and is observed with intensive worship and late-night congregational prayers.

The renewed security push is framed against Borno’s long-running insurgency, in which extremist groups have repeatedly targeted religious events and soft civilian locations. Recent incidents in Gwoza Local Government Area, including mass abductions and attacks on security formations attributed to Boko Haram, have underscored the continuing threat.

Police authorities stressed that security cannot be left to the forces alone, describing it as a collective responsibility that depends on timely information from residents and cooperation with law enforcement operations.

For emergencies or to report suspicious activities, the command urged the public to use its dedicated hotlines: 0806 807 5581 and 0802 347 3293.

The Borno State Police Command extended best wishes to Muslim faithful, expressing hope for a peaceful, safe, and spiritually fulfilling conclusion to the Ramadan fast.