Skip to main content

US Marines patrol the streets of Abuja as World Economic Forum on Africa begins

 
 
altUS Marines have begun patrolling the street of Abuja as Nigeria hosts the seventh World Economic Forum on Africa in a bid to provide security for the hundreds of delegates amid the terrorist threat from Boko Haram.

Over recent weeks, Boko Haram has stepped up its reign of terror across Nigeria, setting off two devastating bombs in Nyanya, the Federal Capital Territory satellite town. In addition, they have carried out daring raids on secondary schools, abducting 234 schoolgirls from Government Secondary School in Chibok, Borno State and a further 11 from the village of Warabe, also in Borno State.

However, the Nigerian government is determined not to be deterred from holding this summit, called to address Africa's socio-economic development. Lasting over three days, the summit began yesterday and is expected to be attended by over 10 heads of state and government as well as over 900 delegates from 70 countries.

Among those in Abuja at the moment, are the presidents of Algeria, Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Mali, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania and Togo. Former British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, and former President of Brazil, Lula da Silva, are also in Abuja, as well as over 50 chief executives of big global corporations.

To ensure security is not compromised, US president Barack Obama has sent a unit of  Marines to guard delegates at the summit. This is in addition to the 6,000 Nigerian security operatives, made up of soldiers, policemen and Department of State Security personnel.

One US security source said: “They are not going to be directly involved in the World Economic Forum event as their brief is to train the Nigerian security services. It should be expected that Nigerian agents will handle the security of the summit.”

US marines are highly specialised soldiers who have been deployed in areas affected by serious conflict and terrorism, such as Afghanistan and Iraq. After the summit, the Marines are expected to help the Nigerian authorities locater the missing Chibok schoolgirls believed to have been whisked away into the Sambisa Forest.

 alt




alt



alt
 

 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

OBOREVWORI: How Not To Glorify A 'One Chance' Governor - By Zik Gbemre

It is appalling how, in desperation to sustain its thieving hegemony over the Delta State Government since 1999, the Delta PDP had the audacity to impose the weakest, most uninformed contender, a local champion, as Governor over a state replete with accomplished men and women of immense capacity. Given this unenviable privilege, one would have expected the fortunate placeholder governor, Sheriff Oborevwori—whose only election campaign manifesto was pledging to improve on the failed leadership of Ifeanyi Okowa, his predecessor—to engage creative minds and individuals of proven integrity to assist him in making a difference. Rather than doing the needful, Oborevwori has worsened matters by electing to engage the same spent leaders, deadwood, and gluttons that have gained prominence in running the state down over successive administrations. The result has been a government of mediocre officeholders competing to run the state for their pockets at the detriment of the populace, under a gove...
Post a Comment
Read more

EDO GUBER ELECTION: Omo-Agege, Faith Majemite, Others Appointed Into APC National Campaign Council

Ahead of the September 21 governorship election in Edo State, the National Working Committee of the All Progressives Congress (APC) unveiled a 197-member council on Wednesday to lead its campaign. According to the list released by APC National Organising Secretary, Sulaiman Argungu, Cross River State Governor Bassey Otu has been appointed as the chairman of the campaign council. Governor Otu will be supported by Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda as co-chairman and former Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole as deputy chairman. Other members of the 197-member team include Senator Ovie Omo-Agege, who will serve as Assistant Secretary; Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo; Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun; Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Hon. Faith Majemite; and other governors elected on the APC platform. The recently reinstated Deputy Governor of Edo, Philip Shaibu, who recently defecte...
Post a Comment
Read more

THE ENDURING LEGACY OF LEADERSHIP: Chief James Ibori Celebrated for His Impact on Delta State

On Friday, May 31st, during the funeral service for the Late Asagba of Asaba, the essence of true leadership was vividly displayed. The service featured the introduction of various dignitaries, including Senator George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation who represented President Bola Tinubu, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, Governor Godwin Obaseki, and Former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. As each dignitary was introduced, the church remained silent. However, the atmosphere dramatically changed when the name of Former Governor James Ibori was announced; the congregation erupted in wide jubilation and applause. This reaction was so profound that even Senator George Akume and Governor Obaseki could not hide their astonishment. The enthusiastic reception for Chief James Ibori during this solemn occasion highlighted his enduring legacy among the people of Delta State. Despite having left office seventeen years ago, he continues to be celebrated whenever he attends public functions i...
Post a Comment
Read more