Nigerian policemen

Crown Prince Eheneden Erediauwa

Jethro Ibileke/Benin

Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Haliru Abubakar Gwandu, has announced that a total of 5000 police operatives would be deployed to Benin City during the coronation ceremony of the new Oba of Benin, HRH, Eheneden Erediauwa.

Gwandu who made the announcement in Benin on Tuesday, said the deployment of such number of security personnel has become so necessary due to the high calibre of personalities from across the world that would attend the ceremony.

“We should equally recall that of recent, there is going to be coronation of the paramount ruler of the land, the Oba of Benin. Now, Oba of Benin, the process of coronation started and is ongoing and I think the last day will be on Thursday and that will interest you to ask many issues.

“We have decided to remain proactive to make sure that the town is not infested with unguarded elements and not giving the public peace, we try to provide a enabling environment having discovered that the crème de la crème of people that are going to attend the ceremony are very numerous.

“We have an information that the occasion is fully well attractive to the international communities, ambassadors from USA, ambassadors from the UK, our neighboring countries, our paramount rulers, and of course, the crème de la crème of the society.

“So, we have to ensure that the society is safe, our people are secured. We will do everything humanly possible to protect the citizens, prevent the influx of misguided elements because of these important dignitaries that are coming.

“Having said that, one will not rule out the possibility of VIPs attending this important event. So, on that not, the police have made sure that five thousand policemen, are to take charge of providing security during the coronation ceremony,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Coronation Planning Committee has announced the closure of all roads leading to the city centre (King’s Square), venue of the coronation ceremony, from midnight of Tuesday, October 18.