Movement around Eagle Square, the venue of the handover and inauguration parade in Abuja, has been restricted by the federal government.
The announcement was made by Ngozi Onwudiwe, a permanent secretary in the office of the head of civil service. The restriction will begin by 2pm on Friday, May 26, and end on Tuesday, May 30, and it is expected that 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 inauguration of Bola Tinubu, President-elect, and Kashim Shettima, Vice President-elect.
The statement read;
“As you may be aware, the presidential transition council (PTC) has unveiled the activities marking the 2023 presidential inauguration ceremony.
“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.”
The FCT police command has also 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.
Adeh said;
“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.
“Traffic will also be diverted at Bayelsa House by Federal High Court, Aso Drive, Ceddi Plaza, NNPC Twin Tower and NNPC/NBS.”
The police spokesperson who also revealed that they’ve deployed intelligence and tactical assets across the FCT to avert any form of threat, added that the operational deployment comprises stop and search duty, intelligence-led raids on black spots, surveillance and vehicular/foot patrol.
