Posted by From Josephine Lohor and Funmi Peter-Omale in Abuja on
As the National Convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets underway tomorrow, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed over 3,000 men and officers in a major security beef-up.
* Firearms, scissors banned from venue
As the National Convention of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gets underway tomorrow, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed over 3,000 men and officers in a major security beef-up.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Mr Lawrence Alobi, disclosed this in Abuja yesterday, adding that more mobile Policemen are to be drafted from the Force Headquarters.
The party's National Convention and Congress Planning Committee has also banned delegates from coming into the convention venue with firearms, scissors, nail cutters and other dangerous weapons.
THISDAY gathered at the Force Headquarters yesterday, that the police has been strategising on how to make the convention hitch-free.
'There have been growing fears that some members of the party may try to cause trouble and the Inspector General of Police has a matching order from the Presidency to ensure that no stone is left unturned in making the Eagle Square, venue of the Convention well secured and safe," a source told THISDAY at the Louis Edet House.
Alobi said, 'we have beefed up security and intelligence as a prelude to the PDP convention. No fewer that 3000 men and officers are earmarked for the exercise. Even the IG has also promised to support our efforts with more mobile Policemen from the Force Headquarters."
Chairman of the party's National Convention and Congress Planning Committee, Chief Samuel Ogbemudia, announced the ban on firearms yesterday at the State House, when his team came to accredit President Olusegun Obasanjo.
He said although such arrangements would 'likely cause some discomfort to the delegates," it had become necessary to ensure a hitch-free convention.
Ogbemudia, who formally invited the President to address the convention, also emphasised that 'once the President takes his seat at the venue of the convention, nobody would be allowed into the Eagle Square.
'We will not allow any delegate to bring scissors or anything dangerous. Starting from today (Thursday), the bomb disposal unit will take over the site to make sure that by Saturday morning, there is no explosive anywhere.
The committee could not accredit Vice-President Atiku Abubakar ,as he was said to have traveled to Yola, Adamawa State on an official assignment.