Tight security as Buhari arrives Ebonyi for two-day working visit

Security has been beefed up in Abakaliki, Ebonyi capital as President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday begin a two-day working visit to the state.

The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), has arrived in Ebonyi State for a two-day official visit to the state.

The president who was accompanied by Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi among other top government officials arrived at the state at about 11. 15 am.

The helicopter conveying the president with registration number: 5N–FG1 landed on the pavilion inside the governor’s residence in his hometown, Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of the state.

The president after exchanging pleasantries with top government officials, and traditional rulers among others who came to welcome him, inspected a guard of honour mounted by the Nigerian Army.

The president will inaugurate the ultra-modern King David University of Medical Sciences, Uburu, with adjourning roads and flyover and the newly constructed presidential lounge Abakaliki.

The president is also expected to inaugurate the ultra-modern Ebonyi international shopping mall, facilities at the newly constructed government house, and completed road projects in the state among others.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) also observed that streets in the capital city wore new looks with different security personnel seen at strategic locations.

NAN observed that among the security personnel on guard are soldiers, policemen, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps personnel.

Some residents, who spoke with NAN in Abakaliki said they look forward to the presidential visit to the state.

Mr Eugene Nwangele, described the visit as relevant, especially when stakeholders in the Southeast zone are expected to present issues that bother the zone and country at large to Buhari.

Nwangele said the visit would also give the people of the state in particular and southeast, in general, a sense of recognition and belonging.

Mr Chijioke Ama commended the landmark projects and transformational policies in that have taken place in the state in the last few years.

“Yes, Ebonyi is fast developing, I thank the President for visiting us,” Ama said.

Mrs Juliet Egbo, a petty trader said that she had started experiencing high patronage in her business as more residents come out to welcome Buhari.

“There is need to stabilise the economy of the country to reduce the hardship being experienced by citizens,” she said.

NAN reports that various groups, youths, and women are in their colourful attires in different streets ready to welcome the president to the state.