A tight security cordon was on Friday thrown on Iju-Odo, Ondo State as the final burial rites for the former Governor of the state, Dr. Olusegun Agagu, commenced at St. Paul Anglican Church.
A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria reports that scores of policemen were sighted on the Okitipupa-Iju-Odo road, monitoring vehicular movement.
Also sighted were officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Federal Road Safety Commission.
NAN also reports that there was a heavy security presence at the country home of the late former governor as well as the Manuwa Memorial Grammar School and Iju-Odo Civic Centre, both slated as venues for the reception.
The church was also filled to capacity, even as the corpse of the former governor was still being awaited as at the time of filing this report.
After the initial confusion that trailed Thursday’s crash of an Associated Airline plane conveying Agagu’s casket, some family members and top Ondo State Government officials, the family resolved to continue with the burial programme.
NAN reports that no fewer than 14 persons died in the crash while six others were injured.
It would be recalled that the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, Ebenezer Alabi, announced the decision to continue with the burial programme on Thursday after meeting with Agagu’s family.
Alabi said: “We have just consulted with the family and it has been decided that they would go ahead with the burial.
“We are also aware that the casket bearing Agagu’s body was not affected by the crash.”
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