From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
AHEAD of the commencement of diversion of both local and international flights from Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, to Kaduna International Airport, scheduled to commence on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Idris Ibrahim has assured the public of necessary security support.
The Federal Government had announced that the Abuja Airport would be shut for six weeks, to repair the runway for effective aviation services of international standard.
Addressing newsmen shortly after his arrival at Kaduna Airport, yesterday, in company with other top internal security operatives involved in the operation, the IGP assured air travellers, including foreigners, of adequate security, to and from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The IGP reiterated that all facilities, including taxis and train coaches would be adequately protected while all commanders of security agencies involved in the operation would operate from a central command unit located inside the airport.
“As you can see, we are ready. What I want to say is that we have deployed men and the equipment required to perform their work.
“We have provided vehicles and helicopters for aerial survilance. We have mobilised men for different units of the force; counter terrorism and anti-bomb squad to man security points within and outside airports. We have also deployed sniper dogs in all hooks and cranies of the airport. We are covering all the Highways, from Kaduna to Abuja, linking the town. We will also provide security for all buses provided by government.We will equally provide security at railway stations both the one in Abuja and the one located at Rigasa, in Kaduna. Each of the coach will have security men onboard for effective security through out the period of operations. We have tasked the helicopter unit on security survilance for 24 hours.
“Synergy with the airport athourities is quite commendable. There is a command operation centre at the airport, where all the security operatives involve in the operation have representatives from where they will be issuing directives to their men across the chain of the operations.
On the issue of movement of passengers from Kaduna to Abuja, he said: “we have effective patrol on ground in case of any evenruality…”
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“As you all know, the acting president was here and the minister also visited. That tells you how serious and committed we are at ensuring safety of lives and property of passengers including the foreigners that will be using the facilities within and beyond the period of rehabilitation of Abuja runway”, the IGP assured.