A massive security operations involving over 300 operatives from the nation’s security agencies has be marshalled by the League Management Company (LMC), the Enugu State Football Association (ESFA) for the on-going Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) at the NnamdiAzikiwe Stadium in Enugu.
Figures made available by Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in-house FIFA Security officer, Dr. Christian Emeruwa showed that the inter-security agency contingent comprised of operatives of Department of State Security (DSS), Nigeria Police, Nigeria Civil Defence Security Corps (NCDSC), The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and Stadium Stewards.
“We want to ensure ease of access to the match venue while not inconveniencing other residents of Enugu, hence we are working with the FRSC”, explained SalihuAbubakar, the LMC Chief Operating Officer.
On the huge security presence, the LMC official said it is geared towards providing safe football experience for the fans, players and officials.
“In a gathering of over 20,000 persons, you cannot take chances and apart from the technical objective of providing our clubs the platform to prepare for their continental outings, it is also important that we create a secured atmosphere for fans to enjoy the games, family outings and friendly interaction”, Abubakar further stated.
Dr. Emeruwa said he has received huge cooperation from heads of the security aencies and commended the officers and men deployed on Matchday 1, saying, “they exhibited high professionalism in their handling of the fans. We had very friendly officers who were very civil in their management of the fans on the first day. We look forward to even better days ahead in terms of security as we expect more fans to show up”.
FC IfeanyiUbah lost 2-1 to Wikki Tourists in the opening match while league champions, Rangers defeated Rivers United 2-0 in the second fixture of the opening day. The matches continue on Friday with Rangers and Wikki Tourists squaring up in a match that will determine who goes three points clear with a win. Rivers United and FC IfeanyiUbah will seek to secure their first win.
