The Federal Government has declared Thursday, December 25, 2025; Friday, December 26, 2025; and Thursday, January 1, 2026, as public holidays to mark Christmas, Boxing Day, and New Year celebrations.
The announcement was made on Monday by the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, who extended goodwill messages to Christians in Nigeria and the diaspora, as well as to all citizens marking the end of the year and the start of a new one. He urged Nigerians to use the season to promote unity, compassion, peace, and national development, while remaining law-abiding and security-conscious.
Coinciding with the holiday declaration, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered heightened security measures nationwide to ensure a peaceful festive period. The directive mandates all zonal Assistant Inspectors-General and state Commissioners of Police to intensify patrols, visibility policing, intelligence-led operations, and community engagement.
According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, specialised police units—including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Highway Patrol, Marine Police, and Airwing—have been placed on high operational alert. Security coverage will focus on places of worship, markets, recreational centres, transport terminals, highways, critical infrastructure, and other crowded public locations.
Additional patrol and surveillance teams have been deployed along major inter-state routes to curb road crimes, traffic congestion, and accidents. Officers have been instructed to be firm but courteous, while sustained raids will continue in identified criminal hideouts, forests, and flashpoints, in collaboration with other security agencies. The IGP also urged citizens to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities through designated emergency channels.
Across states, security commands announced reinforced measures. In Kano, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Bakori, ordered round-the-clock patrols, traffic control, and a ban on car racing, unauthorised horse riding, fireworks, and firecrackers. In Kogi, reinforced deployments were ordered along the Lokoja–Abuja highway due to increased traffic caused by ongoing construction and diversions.
Sokoto State launched “Operation Peaceful Celebration 2025,” featuring extensive personnel deployment, enhanced patrols, traffic control, intelligence gathering, and a ban on fireworks statewide. In Jigawa, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps deployed regular and specialised units across all 27 local government areas to secure worship centres, markets, parks, and major routes.
In the Federal Capital Territory, the FCT Administration intensified operations through Operation Sweep, targeting motor parks, shanties, and other suspected crime hotspots. Officials said illegal motor parks linked to “one-chance” syndicates were dismantled, while shanties harbouring criminal elements were destroyed. The task force also reported the removal of 181 beggars from the streets for rehabilitation.
Reiterating his message, Tunji-Ojo called on Nigerians to celebrate moderately, cooperate with security agencies, and pray for peace and national progress to ensure a calm and safe festive season.
