To forestall an alleged plot to disrupt today’s inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term in office, the service chiefs and heads of other security agencies have notched up security around him.

The service chiefs met with the president yesterday where they assured him of adequate security for the event.

The Nigerian Army recently alerted the Federal Government and Nigerians to an alleged plan by some groups and foreign interests to disrupt the handover and scuttle the democratic process.

In a statement by its Acting Director of Public Relations, Colonel Sagir Musa, the army said the “mischievous elements” had thought Nigeria would not have successful 2019 general elections but they were proved wrong.

After the meeting held at the Presidential Villa, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, told State House correspondents that the committee handling the inauguration of President Buhari had already been briefed on the readiness to deliver the programme safely.

“You will recall we met just about two weeks ago, but the president has to call for this meeting given that tomorrow (today) he will be sworn in. Of course basically the meeting was to further reappraise the actions taken after the last meeting.”

The naval chief stated that President Buhari, at the closed-door meeting, directed the heads of security agencies to strengthen efforts in checking inflow of illegal arms to the country.

“Another area of concern was the arms inflow into the nation. It is only God perhaps that can police such an expanse of border that we have. That is an area that Mr. President has directed that we do all that we can to ensure that we block the gaps and those security areas that we also need to address.”

Those present at the meeting included the outgoing Ministers of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali and Interior, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau; Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

Besides, ahead of today’s inauguration of new administrations in most states, some outgoing chief executive officers have since handed over the reins of government to the newly elected governors, an action which some observers have described as unconstitutional.

Normally, the handover and the inauguration take place the same day, lasting for several hours and characterised by exciting activities and displays, unlike the quiet and short ceremonies witnessed these days.

A lot more apparently go into inaugurations and democratic change of baton than cameras often capture.

•Excerpted from a Guardian report.

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