Police deploy 5,000 officers for APC convention of 6,800 delegates

The Nigeria police police force says it has deployed 5,000 policemen for the national convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) which holds on Saturday.

The convention will take place at the Eagle Square, Abuja, located in Three Arms Zone, said to be the most secured part of the country.

Abiola Ajimobi, chairman of the media subcommittee for the convention planning committee, and governor of Ogun state, had said at least 6,800 delegates are expected to attend the event.

In a statement issued Friday, Jimoh Moshood, police spokesman, said two helicopters and six armoured personnel carriers had also been deployed for the event.

“Diversion of traffic from the Eagle Square will take effect from 2200Hrs of today, 22nd June, 2018 till the end of the convention,” he said.

He said the deployment follows a directive from Ibrahim Idris, inspector-general of police, for “a robust security arrangement to ensure a secured and hitch-free convention.”

Moshood also said personnel of other security and safety agencies are also being deployed to complement the force in ensuring a hitch-free convention.

“Only accredited delegates accredited party officials bearing the APC clearance/identification tags will be allowed into the venue,” he added.

“Personnel of all security and safety agencies deployed for the security of the convention must also wear the certified identification tag conspicuously at the venue. Only one (1) aide will be allowed to follow their principals into the venue of the convention.

“The Nigeria police force hereby warns all unauthorised individual(s) and group(s) who have no business with the convention to steer clear of the venue.

“The full weight of the law will be applied on any person or group of persons who try to disrupt the orderliness and conduct of the convention.

“The personnel deployed are under strict instruction to be civil, polite but strict and firm in the discharge of their duties during the convention.”

The ruling party will be electing its new national officials at the convention.