NIGERIA: Tight security in Nigerian capital for World Economic Forum meeting on Africa from May 7 to 9
Record ID:
236675
NIGERIA: Tight security in Nigerian capital for World Economic Forum meeting on Africa from May 7 to 9
- Title: NIGERIA: Tight security in Nigerian capital for World Economic Forum meeting on Africa from May 7 to 9
- Date: 7th May 2014
- Summary: ABUJA, NIGERIA (MAY 07, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIOR OF TRANSCORP HILTON HOTEL SECURITY VEHICLES PARKED OUTSIDE THE HOTEL PEOPLE GATHERED OUTSIDE THE HOTEL BANNER READING: "WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM ON AFRICA" VIEW OF STREET VARIOUS OF ARMY SPOKESMAN SEATED AT PRESS BRIEFING ARMY LOGO (SOUNDBITE) (English) SPOKESMAN OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY, OLAJIDE LALEYE, SAYING: "Not only members of the armed forces of Nigeria but paramilitary all over the streets of Abuja that is even since yesterday. Today, we have upped the ante in the sense that we have increased our presence in the street. I can assure you that Abuja will remain very, very safe while the World Economic Forum is ongoing." VARIOUS OF LOCKED UP FEDERAL SECRETARIAT EMPTY STREET WITH FEW CARS IN TRANSIT (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOCAL ACCOUNTANT, MUSA MUNIR ILLIASU, SAYING: "I don't think it's a good idea, you know, this sit back approach to security where you just have to, you know, when there is a programme or an event you put security everywhere and then stop work and you know they go about wasted and all that and people just waste the whole three days doing nothing and so I think it's something that needs to be approached in a way that it should be a permanent approach. Of course terrorism is everywhere but you need to get some things right. It's not about just when you have an event you just start stopping everywhere. No." A SECURITY TEAM WITH VEHICLES PARKED ON A MAJOR ROAD OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC VARIOUS OF SCHOOLS CLOSED DOWN FOR THE CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (English) LOCAL BUSINESSMAN, ADANU STEPHEN, SAYING: "Yeah as an Abuja resident I felt the decision by the president was very ok because what he may look at for the first time is the security of the citizens and those visitors that will be coming for the World Economic Forum. So like where I used to live I used to drive for like one hour and sometimes one hour twenty minutes but today based on the holiday or what so called, I came here within thirty minutes so our safety is what he is looking at so I felt very ok with the decision." VARIOUS OF RELATIVELY QUIET STREETS IN ABUJA
- Embargoed: 22nd May 2014 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Nigeria
- Country: Nigeria
- Topics: International Relations,Economic News
- Reuters ID: LVA3TAGKZGPXOI68UWZYT4CAEZ8I
- Story Text: The World Economic Forum on Africa opens in Nigeria on Wednesday (May 07) for three day of talks, working group sessions centred on "Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs", amidst security concerns.
Delegates will be in the right place to reflect on the rising continent's problems, as well as its undoubted potential.
Participants, including Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and African leaders, meet as the continent's largest economy grapples with a surging Islamist revolt and inter-communal clashes that highlight poverty, ethnic and religious schisms, and battles over power and resources in many parts of Africa.
Security measures are being taken as Nigeria's government had last week announced that 6,000 soldiers and police would be deployed to protect this week's summit.
Spokesman of the Nigerian army, Olajide Laleye, said delegates should not be worried over security as plans were in place to ensure a safe environment for the summit.
"Not only members of the armed forces of Nigeria but our paramilitary all over the streets of Abuja that is even since yesterday. Today, we have upped the ante in the sense that we have increased our presence in the street. I can assure you that Abuja will be very, very safe while the World Economic Forum is ongoing," he said.
Schools and government offices are closed for the three day forum.
Residents in Abuja on Wednesday (May 6) expressed mixed feelings over the shutdown.
"I don't it's a good idea, you know, this sit back approach to security where you just have to, you know, when there is a program or an event you put security everywhere and then stop work and you know they go about wasted and all that and people just waste the whole three days doing nothing and so I think it's something that needs to be approached in a way that it should be a permanent approach. Of course terrorism is everywhere but you need to get some things right. It's not about just when you have an event you just start stopping everywhere. No," said Musa Munir Illiasu an accountant based in Abuja.
"Yeah as an Abuja resident I felt the decision by the president was very ok because what he may look at for the first time is the security of the citizens and those visitors that will be coming for the World Economic Forum. So like where I used to live I used to drive for like one hour and sometimes one hour twenty minutes but today based on the holiday or what so called, I came here within thirty minutes so our safety is what he is looking at so I felt very ok with the decision," said local businessman, Adanu Stephen.
Worsening violence so close to the capital has put the spotlight on security arrangements for the World Economic Forum, with a few delegates cancelling, although organisers expected most to attend.
Nigerian officials had hoped the event would highlight their country's potential as Africa's hottest investment destination since it became the continent's biggest economy from a GDP recalculation in March.
The forum has instead been overshadowed by the crisis over the kidnapped girls, whose whereabouts remain a mystery.
That has thrown the government's failings on national security into the spotlight just when it sought to parade its achievements. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None