Security Sub-Committee Gears Up For 18th NSF

The Security Sub-committee for the 18th National Sports Festival is gearing up for the festival and has began a tour to ascertain the security needs of the venues for the event.

The Chairman, ACP Vincent Brown, told newsmen in Lagos that they would also determine the number of policemen to be deployed to the venues.

“The security of all athletes and non-athletes taking part in the competition is an issue the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Umar Mako, is not taking lightly.

“My Committee is working according to the guidelines given to me which do not in any way jeopardise the state’s interest,’’ Brown said.

He said the police authorities had made available 18,000 policemen for the event and that the inspection was to optimally engage the officers.

The venues inspected were the Games Village at Surulere, Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere and the University of Lagos (UNILAG).

The sub-committee’s chairman said that before the arrival of states contingent from November 25, all the security arrangements would have been made.

He added that the venues had their peculiar security challenges and that there was need to tailor security plans along those lines.

The security chief, who declined to reveal the detailed security arrangements, assured participants of their safety during the biennial Games holding from November 27 to December. 9 in Lagos.

The committee continued the inspection at Yaba College of Technology and Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Yaba on Wednesday.