There is heavy security at the Benin Airport in Edo state, south-south Nigeria over fears of possible booing of Adams Oshiomhole, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Witness understands that there are soldiers and two police vehicles at the Airport entrance gate, while others comprising officials of the Department of State Security, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps were stationed at various points of the Airport.
According to a report on The Nation Newspaper, an armoured personnel carrier was also seen at the airport parking lot. The report added that the heavy mobilisation of security personnel was to forestall any attempt to boo Oshiomhole or prevent him from leaving the airport.
Ir was gathered that Dr Pius Odubu, General Charles Airhiavbere, Samson Osagie and APC chieftains loyal to Oshiomhole were at the airport to receive him.
Some youths were also seen in clusters at the airport. The youths were heard chanting anti-Oshiomhole songs.
Speaking on the incident, a security source who is familiar with the matter, said some APC chieftains have raised the alarm of an attack on Oshiomhole and his entourage from Abuja.
The Witness recalls that 15 supporters of the APC loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki were hospitalized in December last year after soldiers and policemen escorting some dignitaries including Oshiomhole that were to attend a political rally in the state fired shots at them
The APC supporters were carrying out a peaceful protest and had set bonfires along the Airport road when the soldiers opened fire on them. It took the APC national leader more than two hours to get to his residence that day.