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Tension in Delta over Ibori
�IG orders security beef-up
Sola Adebayo, Warri
The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Tafa Balogun, on Thursday ordered security beef-up in Delta State, three days ahead of Monday�s judgment in the ex-convict case involving the state governor, Chief James Ibori.
Already, anti-riot policemen have been mobilised from formations in the western and northern parts of the country to the state to strengthen the existing security apparatus.
The state commissioner of Police, Mr. Jonathan Akaya, informed our correspondent on Thursday that Balogun had placed policemen in the state on alert to prevent any violent reaction to the judgement of Justice Hussein Mukthar of an Abuja High Court in the case instituted by two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party against Ibori.
Saturday Punch learnt that Akaya had sought the co-operation of the leadership of the internal security outfit in the Niger Delta region, Operation Restore Hope, in the reinforcement of security in the state.
It was gathered that the commander of the outfit, Brig. Gen Elias Zamani, had responded to the call and assured that no effort would be spared in preventing violent reactions to the court�s ruling.
Akaya said his men were combat ready, adding that �they (politicians) cannot spring any surprise on us. We have given directives to all DPOs to be on alert.�
The plaintiffs, Dr. Goodnews Agbi and Mr. Anthony Alabi, had claimed that Ibori was convicted by a Bwari Upper Area Court in 1995 for breach of trust and criminal negligence.
Mukthar had reserved ruling in the case till Monday.
Investigations by our correspondent on Thursday revealed that Balogun has directed Akaya to prevent any breach of the peace by the parties in the case.
Further investigations revealed that Akaya has directed all Divisional Police Officers in the state to maintain the peace in their areas of jurisdiction or face unpleasant consequences.
Our correspondent gathered that Balogun�s order for intensive security network was sequel to intelligence report that the two parties in the case were mobilising for a showdown in the state, in reaction to the outcome of Mukthar�s judgment.
Besides, it was gathered that the chieftains of the PDP and their counterparts in the Alliance for Democracy had been mobilising their supporters for the journey to Abuja, for the landmark judgment on Monday.
Saturday Punch investigation further revealed that palpable tension and apprehension had gripped residents of Warri and Effurun, the twin cities regarded as the hotbeds of violence in the state, ahead of the judgment.
Aside the revelation that the opposition groups had already formed their own cabinet to replace that of Ibori, it was gathered that vehicles owned by the various branches of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state had been fully booked for the Abuja trip.
Our correspondent gathered that the development arose amidst speculations in the state that a likely replacement was being sought for Ibori in the event that the judgment declares his election a nullity.
A report indicated that a top functionary in the state had embarked on intensive lobbying to emerge as the Acting Governor in case the judgment sweeps away Ibori and his deputy, Chief Benjamin Elue.
The tension which has engulfed the state as soon as Mukthar indicated that the case would be decided on Monday was visible among PDP stalwarts on Thursday.
The fear among PDP faithful over the outcome of Mukthar�s declaration was further reinforced by the abrupt cancellation of President Olusegun Obasanjo�s planned visit to the state, which was earlier scheduled for November 11 and 12.
PDP chieftains and supporters in the state interpreted the cancellation as an ominous sign for Ibori.
Saturday PUNCH, November 6, 2004.
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