The Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, has ordered adequate security around the Super Eagles as they confront the Menas of Niger Republic in an international friendly on Wednesday.
Gideon Akinsola, an Assistant Commissioner of Police and Chief Security Officer of the Super Eagles, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja, before their departure to Niger on Sunday.
The officer said that although security had always been provided for the Eagles, the IG’s order was because the general security situation in West Africa calls for concern.
He added that the IG’s directive was also due to the insurgency in some Northern States of the country which shares border with Niger Republic, where the game would be played.
“We have always done our best by providing security for all the football stakeholders at matches, their accommodation venues, as well as the team’s camps.
“When you are in charge of security, you have to anticipate problems before it comes and this helps you to work towards making sure the problem does not occur.
“I have been at the World Cup, the Olympics, the All Africa Games, as well as local and international competitions, so I know what it takes to put in place adequate security arrangements at all manner of events,” Akinsola said.
NAN reports that the team, made up of 23 players, a technical crew and backroom staff, left the Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja for Niger on Sunday, instead of Tuesday, as earlier planned.
Eagles Secretary, Dayo Achor, told NAN that the team was initially to travel by road to Sokoto, but changed the plan due to security reasons.
Achor said that the Nigeria Football Association considered the logistics and security implications of the team travelling by road through Sokoto to Niamey, Niger, the match venue.
