May 29: Security Tightened Ahead of Presidential Inauguration
Security has been tightened in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and its environs ahead of the May 29th official presidential inauguration of a new administration in the country.
The security forces comprising the Military, the Department of State Services, (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps have adequately mobilized their personnel and equipment to the Capital Territory.
According to findings, both personnel and the equipment are also being deployed to man strategic locations within and around the city to ensure a hitch-free exercise.
It was observed that the venue of the official Inauguration, the Eagle Square, which currently undergoing intensive renovation, is under security watch while all hotels, recreational centres, and places of worship, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Headquarters, the three arms zones, and others were not left out in the security arrangements.
All the entry points into the city were also being manned by armed security personnel who conduct random “stop and search” on vehicles.
Speaking on the preparedness of the Military for the exercise, Director of Defence Media Operations Defence Correspondents, Major General Musa Danmadami, said that there was no cause for concern over security as the Military would provide backing to the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), being the lead agency in charge of internal security.
The Inspector General Of Police IGP Usman Alkali Baba had confirmed that the alleged plot to scuttle the May 29th inauguration exercise was real but warned those behind the evil plot to stop it or be ready to contend with the security forces.
Also echoing the assurance of the IGP on tight security arrangements for the successful conduct of the ceremony, the Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that the Police had done all that was needed to be done and that the May 29th swearing-in ceremony would come and go like any other day in the history of the country.
“Nigerians and other nationals should not entertain any fear. They should be law-abiding and go about their normal business, no cause for concern over security matters,” he assured.
The DSS had also assured the members of the public not to entertain any fear about security, saying that the Services were working in conjunction with other sister security agencies to ensure adequate security nationwide before, during, and after the exercise.
