Police warn miscreants as Tinubu visits Jigawa

Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has listed four multi-billion-naira projects scheduled for inauguration by President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday during his first official working visit to the state since assuming office in May 2023, as the police warned miscreants to stay away from the rally venue or face the full weight of the law.

The police said security had been tightened across Dutse, with personnel drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Department of State Services and other agencies deployed to strategic locations ahead of the presidential visit.

The visit, which comes after months of anticipation and repeated postponements, will also feature political engagements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking with journalists in Dutse on Monday after inspecting the project sites and rally venue, Namadi expressed confidence that the state was fully prepared to receive the President.

“Alhamdulillah, we have gone round all the places, including the areas where the projects will be inaugurated and the venue for the rally. From what we have seen, I am confident that Jigawa is ready for Mr President,” the governor said.

He explained that some corrections and adjustments were still being made to ensure that all arrangements met the required standards.

“We observed some minor issues during inspection, together with officials from the Presidency. Those corrections are being effected to ensure everything is in order,” he added.

The governor listed the projects scheduled for inauguration as the Renewed Hope Technical Services Centre, the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Multipurpose Skills Acquisition Centre, the state’s agricultural mechanisation programme and the dualised road project in Dutse.

Giving details of the agricultural mechanisation programme, Namadi said it comprised 400 tractors, 60 combine harvesters and other equipment, including 150 boom sprayers and 150 seeders.

He explained that the projects were deliberately selected because of their proximity to one another within Dutse metropolis, considering the President’s limited time.

“We have so many other projects, but we understand that Mr President’s time is very limited. That is why we selected these projects, which are within the metropolis and close to one another,” he said.

On security preparations, the Commissioner of Police, Tijjani Murtala, said the command had deployed personnel to strategic locations across the state capital to ensure a peaceful visit.

Murtala, who briefed journalists at the command’s headquarters in Dutse on Monday, said the security arrangement involved the police, the Nigerian Army, the NSCDC, the DSS and other supporting agencies.

He disclosed that preparations had commenced with stakeholder engagement, followed by operational planning and the deployment of personnel to designated locations.

According to him, commanders of the various security agencies had met to strengthen collaboration and ensure effective coordination before, during and after the President’s visit.

The police commissioner added that an operational order had been prepared to guide the exercise, while additional personnel, including officers of the Police Mobile Force from other commands and tactical formations, were being deployed.

He expressed confidence that the security assessment conducted so far had revealed no major threat to the visit, but said the command remained vigilant.

“Jigawa State remains very peaceful, and we commend the people for their law-abiding nature. We assure them that we are going to protect them and their properties.

“We will not allow any disgruntled elements to infiltrate the gathering or take advantage of the President’s visit to cause any security breach,” he added.

The commissioner warned that security agencies would not tolerate criminal activities associated with large gatherings, particularly pickpocketing, phone snatching and other petty crimes.

He said plain-clothes intelligence officers would be deployed within the crowd to identify and apprehend suspected criminals, while other operatives would maintain surveillance around designated venues.

Murtala also urged residents to cooperate with security personnel and report suspicious movements, assuring them that adequate measures had been put in place to protect lives and property.

Meanwhile, Namadi said he had met with security chiefs and members of the state security committee to review arrangements for the presidential visit.

He called on residents to turn out to welcome Tinubu, expressing gratitude that the long-awaited visit had finally become possible.