Tight security as PDP holds presidential rally in Benin

THE security arrangement in the Benin, Edo was on Wednesday tightened ahead of the Presidential rally of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that security personnel in their hundreds were strategically located across the city.

NAN reports that the security arrangement was more concentrated around the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, venue of the rally, Akenzua road, Plymount road and Airport road.

Security personnel from the military, Police, Department of State Security (DSS) and men of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were strategically positioned in these areas.

Patrol vehicles of the security agencies were seen patrolling the areas around the stadium and Airport road.

As part of the security arrangement, a popular school in the area, Brother Pius Nursery and Primary School, on Akenzua road was closed.

A parent in the school, Mr Efe Omoruyi, who spoke with NAN, said the same school was not closed during the All Progressives Congress (APC) rally held last Thursday.

“We were not surprised that the decision to close the school was passed to us at the close of school on Tuesday because this is not just a rally but an event that Mr President is attending.

“You can see that some of the parents, who were not aware of the closure, could not even find their way through following the closure of Akenzua road,” Omoruyi said.

Meanwhile, NAN reports that hundreds of supporters of the President had started arriving at the Benin airport as early as 7a.m.

Most of the supporters were adorned in colourful T-shirts and in their various groups and they were chanting solidarity songs in support of the President.

Many of the groups were also seen gathered along airport road waiting for the arrival of the president.

NAN reports that the opposition APC had last Thursday held its own presidential rally at the same Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium.