FG restricts movement around Eagle Square ahead of Tinubu’s inauguration

The federal government has restricted movements around Eagle Square, the venue of the handover and inauguration parade in Abuja.

Bola Tinubu, president-elect, and Kashim Shettima, vice president-elect, will be sworn in on May 29 and begin a new administration.

Ngozi Onwudiwe, a permanent secretary in the office of the head of civil service, in a statement, said the ministry of foreign affairs and the Federal Secretariat Complex Phases I, II, and III will be blocked off by security personnel ahead of the ceremony.

The restriction will begin by 2pm on Friday and end on Tuesday.

“As you may be aware, the presidential transition council (PTC) has unveiled the activities marking the 2023 presidential inauguration ceremony,” the statement reads.

“The inauguration parade and swearing-in of President-Elect, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which is the climax of the programme will take place on Monday, 29th May 2023 at the Eagle Square, Central Business District, Abuja.

“In line with the security arrangements for the event, the Federal Secretariat Complexes Phases I, II, III and Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be cordoned off by security operatives from 2.00 p.m. on Friday, 26th May 2023 to Monday, 29th May, 2023.

“Accordingly, officers and intending visitors to the affected areas will not be allowed access till Tuesday, 30th May 2023, when work will resume in earnest.”

In the past few weeks, different branches of the military have been conducting drills ahead of the inauguration ceremony.

The Department of State Services (DSS) on Thursday said it is aware of plans by “subversive elements” to disrupt the momentous event.

POLICE ANNOUNCE TRAFFIC DIVERSION

The police in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Friday announced traffic diversions ahead of the inauguration.

Josephine Adeh, the FCT police spokesperson, said the diversion points are Goodluck Jonathan Expressway by Court of Appeal, Deeper Life Junction, Bond/Total Filling Station, POWA/FCDA Junction, Finance Junction by ECOWAS/Women Affairs and Ministry of Foreign Affairs,

“Other diversion points are Eagle Square ( Phase 1 & Phase 11), Kur Muhammad Way / National Mosque, Abia House, NITEL Junction by Ademola Adetokunbo and Gana Junction/Transcorp,” she said.

“Traffic will also be diverted at Bayelsa House by Federal High Court, Aso Drive, Ceddi Plaza, NNPC Twin Tower and NNPC/NBS.”

She said the command had deployed intelligence and tactical assets across the FCT to avert any form of threat.

Adeh said the operational deployment comprises stop and search duty, intelligence-led raids on black spots, surveillance and vehicular/foot patrol.