More
than 3,000 policemen and 100 State Security Service (SSS) operatives have been
deployed in Borno State to protect President Goodluck Jonathan, who is visiting
the state and neighbouring Yobe between today and tomorrow.
than 3,000 policemen and 100 State Security Service (SSS) operatives have been
deployed in Borno State to protect President Goodluck Jonathan, who is visiting
the state and neighbouring Yobe between today and tomorrow.
The two
states are the epicentre of Boko Haram’s activities. Thousands have been killed
in the insurgency launched by the sect, which is pushing for sharia, the strict
Islamic code, among others.
states are the epicentre of Boko Haram’s activities. Thousands have been killed
in the insurgency launched by the sect, which is pushing for sharia, the strict
Islamic code, among others.
The
security cover for the President’s first visit since the insurgency began, will
be coordinated by the Chief of Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibrahim Ola Sa’ad
and Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar.
security cover for the President’s first visit since the insurgency began, will
be coordinated by the Chief of Defence Staff, Vice-Admiral Ibrahim Ola Sa’ad
and Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Abubakar.
Following
security advice on restriction of movement, the Borno State government has
declared Friday a public holiday.
security advice on restriction of movement, the Borno State government has
declared Friday a public holiday.
It was
gathered that more than 100 SSS operatives from Gombe, Bauchi and other nearby
states were deployed for the President’s visit.
gathered that more than 100 SSS operatives from Gombe, Bauchi and other nearby
states were deployed for the President’s visit.
The
President will be accompanied by nine ministers. They are those in charge of
Works, Education, Mines and Steel, Water Resources, Agriculture, Power,
Environment, Housing and Urban Development. The Director-General of the
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr. Sani Sidi, is also on the
entourage.
President will be accompanied by nine ministers. They are those in charge of
Works, Education, Mines and Steel, Water Resources, Agriculture, Power,
Environment, Housing and Urban Development. The Director-General of the
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Dr. Sani Sidi, is also on the
entourage.
“To
ensure water-tight protection for the President, the Chief of Defence Staff,
the Inspector-General of Police, and other security chiefs are expected to
co-ordinate this.
ensure water-tight protection for the President, the Chief of Defence Staff,
the Inspector-General of Police, and other security chiefs are expected to
co-ordinate this.
“The
President’s advance team is already in Maiduguri as part of the preparations
for the visit”, a source said.
President’s advance team is already in Maiduguri as part of the preparations
for the visit”, a source said.
Another
source in Borno State said: “We are expecting the President to pass the night
in Maiduguri on Thursday after his visit to Yobe. The President will meet with
stakeholders at a Town Hall Meeting on Friday in Maiduguri .
source in Borno State said: “We are expecting the President to pass the night
in Maiduguri on Thursday after his visit to Yobe. The President will meet with
stakeholders at a Town Hall Meeting on Friday in Maiduguri .
“As
part of the visit to Borno, there will be tight screening of vehicles and
movement will be restricted. As a matter of fact, the number of reporters
covering the trip will be restricted.”
part of the visit to Borno, there will be tight screening of vehicles and
movement will be restricted. As a matter of fact, the number of reporters
covering the trip will be restricted.”
Since
these security measures are likely to cause inconvenience for the people of
Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima declared Friday a work-free day.
these security measures are likely to cause inconvenience for the people of
Borno State, Governor Kashim Shettima declared Friday a work-free day.
“This
holiday will enable most residents of Maiduguri to stay at home and watch the
state visit live on television.
holiday will enable most residents of Maiduguri to stay at home and watch the
state visit live on television.
“I can
tell you that it is the tight security arrangement that has accounted for the
public holiday,” he said.
tell you that it is the tight security arrangement that has accounted for the
public holiday,” he said.
Secretary
to Yobe State Government Babagoni Machina said all was set for the visit.
to Yobe State Government Babagoni Machina said all was set for the visit.
Machina
said: “We hope the visit will afford the President the opportunity to
appreciate the development that has taken place in the state in the past few
years.
said: “We hope the visit will afford the President the opportunity to
appreciate the development that has taken place in the state in the past few
years.
“As you
can see, all arrangements have been completed and we are ready to receive
President Jonathan. We are also happy to have the president visiting our state
and we pray that Allah will bring him safely and take him back safely as well.”
can see, all arrangements have been completed and we are ready to receive
President Jonathan. We are also happy to have the president visiting our state
and we pray that Allah will bring him safely and take him back safely as well.”
Commissioner
of Police Sanusi Rufai said his men were leaving no stone unturned to ensure a
hitch-free visit by the commander-in-chief.
of Police Sanusi Rufai said his men were leaving no stone unturned to ensure a
hitch-free visit by the commander-in-chief.
He said
more reinforcement of men had been brought to the state, adding that “all our
men and officers have the operation order and plan which we have since put in
place.”
more reinforcement of men had been brought to the state, adding that “all our
men and officers have the operation order and plan which we have since put in
place.”
He
urged hoodlums not to attempt any breach of the peace during the visit.
urged hoodlums not to attempt any breach of the peace during the visit.
Jonathan
is expected to inaugurate some projects. Some of the projects include the 300
housing units along Gujba bye-pass, built by the state government, the dual
carriage road and the ultra-modern library at the Yobe State University.
is expected to inaugurate some projects. Some of the projects include the 300
housing units along Gujba bye-pass, built by the state government, the dual
carriage road and the ultra-modern library at the Yobe State University.
Commissioner
for Housing Mohammed Ago Dala, said all the houses were built to standard
awaiting inauguration.
for Housing Mohammed Ago Dala, said all the houses were built to standard
awaiting inauguration.
He
described the housing as second to none, adding that “people get houses in Yobe
almost free because it is only in Yobe State that houses are subsidised by 65
per cent and in the event of death, all unpaid balances are waived by the
government”.
described the housing as second to none, adding that “people get houses in Yobe
almost free because it is only in Yobe State that houses are subsidised by 65
per cent and in the event of death, all unpaid balances are waived by the
government”.
Damaturu,
the state capital, is wearing a new look. The Ministry of Environment is
battling to keep the town clean.
the state capital, is wearing a new look. The Ministry of Environment is
battling to keep the town clean.
Posters
of President Jonathan and Governor Ibrahim Gaidam have taken over the major
streets and electric poles.
of President Jonathan and Governor Ibrahim Gaidam have taken over the major
streets and electric poles.
The
Ministry of Works, through direct labour, has filed the potholes on Damaturu
roads.
Ministry of Works, through direct labour, has filed the potholes on Damaturu
roads.
Source: The Nation
