Leadership (Abuja)
By Asuelimen Osasuyi
21 October 2009
Abuja — As countries and delegates have started to arrive for the FIFA U-17 World Cup, Nigeria 2009, expected to kick-off Saturday, the security sub-committee of the Local Organising Committee (LOC) has warned that it will not tolerate any act of indiscipline and act capable of tarnishing the image of the country during the three weeks football competition.
Chairman of the security sub-committee, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Mohammed D. Abubakar said yesterday during a meeting with all the security agencies and sub-seat committee that adequate security service have been put in place 24 hours, assuring teams, officials, foreign journalists and visitors of their safety and a hitch free World Cup.
AIG Abubakar said, "We have made adequate security arrangement in all the 8 host cities and 120 security vehicles have been put on alert. 20 each will be in Abuja and Lagos while 15 each will be put in to use in other host centres.
The committee will provide escort for the teams and officials as well as in their hotels and other designated areas by FIFA. There is going to be a water tight security which involves all the security agencies."
AIG Abubakar said the security is committed to its responsibility as its primary aim is to do everything possible to protect and project the good name of Nigeria.
"We are going to distribute security tips to all the countries to guide them on areas to go and not to go, as well as what is expected of them. We want Nigerians to be patriotic while warning that any act of hooliganism will not be tolerated. Anybody without ticket should not venture to come to the stadium and all VIP should ensure that they have their tickets as no attachment would be allowed. I want to appeal to football lovers to cooperate with the park-ride arrangement as buses would be provided to take fans to and from stadium at designated places. No umbrella, bottles, stick and other dangerous items would be allowed into the stadium. We must be law abiding this time around."
The security sub-committee also warned police personnel who have no business at stadium not come except if they have their tickets and must be on plain clothes. "We are willing and ready. Always wear your tag to avoid embarrassment."
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