- The visit will begin with an official reception at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles III
- According to Hall, the police have extensive experience managing security for royal and high-profile events in Windsor
- He warned that violating the airspace restrictions would be treated as a criminal offence under the UK’s Air Navigation Order
Britain has announced heightened security measures ahead of the upcoming state visit of Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, including extended airspace restrictions and the deployment of armed police officers in Windsor.
President Tinubu is scheduled to arrive in the United Kingdom with the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, on Wednesday, March 18, Eko Hot Blog reports.
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The visit will begin with an official reception at Windsor Castle hosted by King Charles III.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Thames Valley Police said it is collaborating with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household, and other security agencies to ensure the visit proceeds safely.
Authorities explained that while flight restrictions over Windsor Castle exist year-round, they will be extended on March 18 to cover the period between 7:00 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. as part of the security arrangements.
Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall from the Joint Operations Unit of Thames Valley Police noted that the airspace control is only one element of a comprehensive security strategy planned for the Nigerian leader’s visit.
According to Hall, the police have extensive experience managing security for royal and high-profile events in Windsor, and considerable planning has gone into the operation.
He warned that violating the airspace restrictions would be treated as a criminal offence under the UK’s Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest.
To strengthen security, officers with specialised skills will be stationed across Windsor. These include search teams, mounted police, road policing units, and armed officers.
Local neighbourhood officers and personnel from the Project Servator initiative will also be present to engage with residents and visitors.
In addition, authorities plan to utilise the town’s extensive closed-circuit television system and install hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, along with other security measures that may not be visible to the public.
Hall encouraged residents and visitors to remain alert and assist the police by reporting suspicious behaviour. He advised people to contact emergency services if they notice anything unusual or threatening.
Meanwhile, road closures and parking restrictions will begin on Tuesday, March 17, and motorists may experience temporary disruptions in and around Windsor during the visit.
Thames Valley Police added that it will work closely with the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to ensure the airspace restrictions are fully enforced.
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