Police deploy anti-bomb experts as Jonathan, Buhari, Tinubu visit

THE Ekiti State Police Command has deployed anti-bomb experts to comb campaign venues and strategic locations in Ado Ekiti in preparation for today’s rally of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to the state tomorrow (Thursday) for Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rally.State Police Commissioner, Mr. Felix Uyanna, yesterday assured that he has deployed his men to all strategic locations in Ado Ekiti and the suburbs to prevent breakdown of law and order.
   Uyanna was commenting on the preparation of the command for tomorrow’s visit of President Jonathan’s to Ekiti to flag off the campaign of the PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Ayodele Fayose and today’s visit of the national leaders of the APC, General Muhammadu Buhari, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, among others to campaign for the re-election of Governor Kayode Fayemi.
   The two rallies are to hold at the popular Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado Ekiti, the state capital.
   Uyanna, who spoke through the command’s Public Relations Officer, Mr. Victor Babayemi added that his men have also commenced a stop-and-search operation on all vehicles to prevent any explosive devices from being brought to the state to disrupt the visit of the dignitaries.
   The Police Commissioner stated that the command is quite aware of the importance of the President’s visit and the calibre of people that would visit the state, assuring that the two rallies will be devoid of rancour and breakdown of law and order.
   He said, “The command has enough manpower to ensure that the rallies are held under a peaceful atmosphere. Once the protection of lives and property is our utmost duty, we are going to do all within our powers to curb any crisis that could lead to loss of lives.
   “We have activated all the police units to be able to deal with any situation because we are not unaware of the personalities that will visit the State within the next two days. Our men from the explosive and ordinance department had already commenced operation at the venue of the two rallies. They are combing everywhere as we speak.
   “We are not going to limit our operations to this, we are also going to give adequate protection to all the hotels where some of these personalities will be staying. So, we are on top of the situation and we are monitoring situations very carefully,” Uyanna stated.
   The Police boss added that the command has also put machinery in motion for effective traffic control during the rallies for free flow of vehicular and human movements.
   Uyanna warned those planning to foment trouble to desist, saying the Command will deal decisively with those apprehended for such unruly behaviour.
   “We want to warn trouble makers to beware because we are several miles ahead of them. Our men are well mobilized and positioned to take them on because the security of lives and property is very dear to us”, he said.