Jonathan begins campaign in Nasarawa

The Nigerian Police Force has deployed its policemen from five states to provide security for the take-off of President Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign at the Lafia Mini Stadium, Lafia in Nasarawa State on Monday (today).

The state Police commands contributing the officers are Plateau, Benue and Niger, Federal Capital Territory and the host, Nasarawa.

It was gathered that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Hafiz Ringim, had directed the Commissioners of Police in the commands to also be onground to supervise security operations during the rally.

Our correspondents gathered that special directives were also given to the Police chiefs under Zone 7 to play specific significant roles during the President’s rally which is expected to attract a huge crowd from all over the country.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Office, Mr. Yemi Ajayi, disclosed this to our correspondent in Abuja on Sunday.

Ajayi said, “The police are leaving nothing to chance to ensure a hitch-free rally in Lafia. I can assure you that we are on top of the challenge.

“The Inspector-General of police has directed Commissioners of Police in five states including FCT to moblise their men to the area; they are also expected to supervise the operations.

“We have all the units of the Force like the anti bomb units, Anti Terrorism Squad, detectives and so on represented there (Lafia).”

He, however, declined to disclose the number of officers deployed for the operation for ‘strategic reason.’

Our correspondents gathered on Sunday that policemen and State Security Service operatives had since Saturday been searching vehicles on Lafia streets and roads leading into to the state capital.

A top SSS officer explained that the ‘massive presence of operatives’ in Lafia was because of the crises in Jos, Plateau State, which shares a boundary with Nasarawa State.

Jos has remained a huge security nightmare for the Federal Government as violent sectarian clashes and bomb explosions have led to the death of many and destruction of properties.

Besides, the Federal Capital Territory which is close to Nasarawa State, have recorded bombing incidents since October 1, 2010.

Last Friday, the SSS raised a security alert that there might be more terrorist threats and bombings in the country.

It was also gathered that security agencies were also of the opinion that members of the Boko Haram sect could find their ways into the state.

The security agencies have also insisted that all broken vehicles be taken away from and around the stadium to prevent a situation where “unscrupulous elements could either plant bombs in them or use them to engage in any other nefarious activity.”

A member of the Police Bomb Disposal Unit, who was seen supervising the clearing of some of the abandoned vehicles, said the order to carry out the activity came “from above.”

Also, the state police command which has increased its patrol of the roads leading to the stadium, has advised people that have no business with the President’s rally to stay off the area.

Meanwhile, the Peoples Democratic Party has said that Jonathan is far ahead of his opponents in the forthcoming election.

It said in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Alkali, on Sunday, that the commencement of the PDP presidential campaign today (Monday) had once again separated the party from other political parties in the country.

The party stated that with Jonathan and Sambo, Nigerians were no more in doubt that changehad started.

Also speaking on the preparation for the rally, a former Minister of Justice and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Bayo Ojo (SAN), said the people of the North-Central would vote massively for the President in April.

Ojo, who is a member of G.20, a group of 20 prominent citizens led by Chief Solomon Lar, from the zone, said members of the group believed so much in the President.

Apart from the President and his deputy, Alhaji Namadi Sambo, others expected at the rally are members of the National Working Committee of the PDP state governors, leaders and members of the National Assembly as well as members of the PDP in the zone (North-Central).

-Punch

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Posted by admin on Feb 6 2011. Filed under Elections 2011, Nasarawa, State News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry