BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA –The Nigeria Police has announced the deployment of five thousand personnel, two helicopters and Six Armoured Personnel Carriers for security of the All Progressives Congress national convention scheduled to hold on Saturday June 23, 2018 at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
This is just as the Police high command said that diversion of traffic from the Eagle Square in Abuja will take effect from 2200Hrs of Friday, June 22, 2018 till the end of the convention.
The security arrangement followed the directive of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim K. Idris for the implementation of a robust security arrangement to ensure a secured and hitch-free convention.
This was contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Jimoh Moshood in which he also said that the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU), Special Protection Unit (SPU), the Explosive Ordinance Department (EOD), the Police Mounted Troop, the Dog Section (K9), the Force Criminal Intelligence and Investigation Department (FCIID), the Police Air-wing and the Force Armament Unit have been deployed under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Department of Operations, to ensure adequate security for all the accredited participants at the convention.
Moshood further said that security coverage have also been provided also at all the accreditation centres, adding that in addition, two Police Helicopters, Six Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) have already been deployed for the security of the convention.
The police spokesman further said; “Personnel of other security and safety agencies are also being deployed to complement the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring adequate security and a hitch-free convention.
“Only accredited delegates accredited party officials bearing the APC clearance/identification tags will be allowed into the venue. Personnel of all Security and Safety agencies deployed for the security of the convention must also wear the certified identification tag conspicuously at the venue. Only one aide will be allowed to follow their principals into the venue of the convention.
“The Nigeria Police Force hereby warns all unauthorised individual(s) and group(s) who have no business with the convention to steer clear of the venue.”
Moshood warned that the full weight of the law would be applied on any person or group of persons who try to disrupt the orderliness and conduct of the convention, stressing that the personnel deployed are under strict instruction to be civil, polite but strict and firm in the discharge of their duties during the convention.
He also said; “There will be diversion of traffic from all the routes to the Eagle Square from Ahmadu Bello Way, Shehu Shagari Way and other Roads leading to the venue of the convention. Road users and other members of the Public are advised to use alternative routes.
“Any member of the public with complaint or observation on security issue can call the following numbers 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653 for immediate response.”
