BY Peter Duru
MAKURDI—alleged threat by an Islamic sect to bomb Makurdi, Benue State capital, yesterday, stalled Democracy Day celebration in the city as the state government unofficially cancelled events.
The development forced the people who had thronged the Ibrahim Babangida, IBB, Square, venue of the ceremony to turn back home disappointed.
When Vanguard visited the venue, people were seen moving in and out of the venue, even as policemen were strategically positioned.
Meanwhile, traders dealing in snacks, sachet water and ice cream, among others who had thronged the venue with the aim of doing brisk business were also disappointed at the turn of events. A Police officer, who spoke to Vanguard on condition of anonymity, said they were deployed to the venue to provide security as was the tradition every year.
He said: "You can see the number of policemen here. Special Anti Robbery Squad, SARS, men of civil defense and traffic wardens, among other security operatives are also here to discharge their duties, only to discover that there were no arrangements for any celebration today."
Vanguard, however, reliably gathered that the decision by the state government to cancel the ceremony was as a result of a threat message allegedly being circulated in the town by members of a sect to bomb the town in the event of any celebration to mark the day.
Speaking on the development, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Media and Publicity, Dr. Cletus Akwaya, said the decision of government not to hold public celebration this year has nothing to do with security threat.
Vanguard Nigeria