SOME 1200 security operative are on duty to provide security in Abuja, the Nigerian Political capital as it hosts over 1000 international businessmen and women around the world, in the World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa.
A top security operative disclosed that of this number, 200 personnel are drafted from the Anti-bomb squad of the Military and that of the Nigeria Police Force. Similarly, over 300 are drafted from the terrorist troupe of the Police Force and the military too.
It was also gathered that the Federal Government of Nigeria would be spending some N1.2billion on security alone.
The remaining personnel, are under-covers, they would not wear uniform, “but they are well armed and have been scattered all over Abuja and environs, since Friday last week.”
“Abuja is a fast growing city with so many entry and exit points. Be that as it may, we have been able to map out all these routes, both the conventional ones and the unconventional and admixture of security personnel have been deployed there since”, the source said.
The source also said Nigeria would guaranty participants of the World Economic Forum of their security throughout their stay in Abuja. “We are aware of security challenges we are having in our country presently, but then, we don’t have to lose sight of a true African person, who must carter for the welfare of his or her guest.”
It was also gathered that all the security personnel for this particular operation are billed to be in a kind of camping. “They are not going home throughout the period, they won’t receive visitors, it’s only their subheads that are permitted to carry communication gadgets, the rest, no telephone, no walkie-talkie etc, etc”
A security cordon is around the Nigerian capital Abuja ahead of the World Economic Forum starting Wednesday, a spokesperson for police, Frank Mbah, has said.
The World Economic Forum will be attended by the presidents of Rwanda, Senegal and Kenya as well as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. Force public relations officer, Frank Mba, added that officers and equipment were being deployed Sunday to all parts of Abuja and its suburbs on the orders of President Goodluck Jonathan for a huge security operation before the economic forum starts.
Mr. Mba said the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, on Sunday ordered field commanders on to step up security at all strategic locations and vulnerable points and to strengthen security at entry and exit points, airports and Highways as well as City roads, Hotels and the Conference venue.
“Calling on the cooperation of all towards this important event, the IGP assured the conference participants, the citizenry as well as members of the international community of adequate security, stressing that the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies have already put in place effective security measures for their safety and comfort,” Mr. Mba said in a statement.
Attacks by the extremist group, Boko Haram, have raised security concerns about the Economic Forum, expected to be attended by world leaders, business executives and opinion leaders around the world.
On Friday, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered the closure of all public schools and offices between Wednesday and Friday when the meeting will hold.
The government said the measure is to ease the flow of traffic within the city and enable those attending the forum carry out their assigned roles. But the move is expected to lower the risk of attacks.
The decision came after at least 19 people were killed Thursday evening in a car bomb at Nyanya, near Abuja. It was the second of such attacks in three weeks in Abuja. An earlier one on April 14 killed at least 75 people.
The organizers of the economic forum said they have also deployed extra security measures for the safety of their guests.
