Nigerian security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS), are facing a tough decision regarding the country’s airports on October 1.
They must choose between closing the airports to hinder the #FearlessInOctober protests or allowing the Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo, to proceed with his scheduled flight on Emirates Airlines, which would mark the airline’s resumption.
The Emirates Airlines resumption is a significant factor in the decision, as it’s being considered a major reason to keep the airports operational. However, security agencies are cautious about the planned #FearlessInOctober nationwide protests on October 1.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that the police and other security agencies were considering the closure of airports over the planned nationwide protests in a bid to stiffen movements.
Top sources informed SaharaReporters that no decision had been reached yet but the police authorities were agitated about the looming protests and were considering plans to frustrate the demonstrations.
In an update, one of the authoritative sources added, “As you know, the Minister of Aviation is coming on an Emirates Airlines flight tomorrow (Tuesday); Emirates is resuming operations in Nigeria tomorrow.
“So there is a dilemma for security chiefs over the protest; they are struggling to keep airports open for Emirates flight resumption which was supposed to be accompanied by Keyamo.
“He wants to be celebrated as the hero who brought back Emirates Airlines.”
SaharaReporters in May reported that the Emirates Airlines announced that it would resume services to Nigeria from October 1, 2024, operating a daily service between Lagos and Dubai.
The airline had said the services would be operated using a Boeing 777-300ER.
EK783 will depart Dubai at 0945hrs and arrive in Lagos at 1520hrs while the return flight EK784 will leave Lagos at 1730hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0510hrs the next day.
SaharaReporters earlier today reported that the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it had deployed adequate personnel and equipment throughout the territory, in anticipation of the upcoming October 1 Independence Day celebration.
Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer of the command in a statement on Monday, said the deployments were made to ensure that residents of the FCT enjoy a hitch-free Independence Day celebration.
She added that the deployment would include Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel, anti-riot equipment, visibility policing, among others.
The #FearlessInOctober protests are set to kick off on October 1, 2024, and will continue until the protesters’ demands are met.
Organisers have announced the convergence venues and times for the nationwide demonstrations, which aim to shine a light on pressing issues like hunger and economic hardship under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The convergence points include Abuja: Eagle Square at 7.00 am; Lagos: Ikeja Under Bridge at 7:30 am; Oyo State: Mokola Roundabout, Ibadan at 8.00 am; Rivers State: Pleasure Park, Port Harcourt at 7:30 am; Borno: Arewa Youth For Peace Office, Damaturu Road at 8:00 am; Yobe: Damaturu Main Roundabout, opposite Old Motor Park to Maiduguri Road at 8:00 am and Kwara: Ilorin Post Office Under-bridge at 8:00 am.
The Take It Back Movement shared these details on its X handle, urging participants to gather at the designated times and locations.
This protest is a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance protests of August 1 -10, which also sought to address economic hardship in Nigeria and other issues.