Buhari may not visit Lagos for launch of Police chopper on Friday

President Buhari is expected to travel out to Malta Thursday, for the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, but this has coincided with his visit to Lagos State House (Alausa) for the formal commissioning of three choppers purchased by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode's administration.

According to the Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu in a statement issued on Wednesday, the Commonwealth meeting will begin on Friday November 27 .

''President Muhammadu Buhari will leave Abuja on Thursday November 26 for Malta to participate in the 2015 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting which begins in the island nation on Friday. The Head of the Commonwealth, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, will formally declare the summit open and host a banquet in honour of President Buhari and other participating Heads of State and Government. At the conclusion of the Summit on Sunday, President Buhari will leave Malta for Paris where he will present Nigeria's statement at the United Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled to open in the French capital on Monday, November 30,'' the statement reads in part.

However, Lagos state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, also on Wednesday, said that President Buhari would formally present newly acquired police equipment to the Rapid Response Squad on Friday.

''President Muhammadu Buhari’s visit will witness the rebranding of the RRS as the state’s no-nonsense police response squad against crime and criminality. The President will also join Governor Akinwunmi Ambode in handing over the brand new patrol equipment to the police authorities in the state.

''The equipment to be handed over include: three helicopters, two patrol boats, 100 motorcycles, 13 BM power bikes, 60 Ford salon cars, 55 Ford Rangers, 40 Toyota salon cars, 10 Toyota Land Cruiser SUVs, 31 Armored Personnel Carriers, as well as police uniforms and other kits.

''With these security equipment, the governor has demonstrated his firm commitment and ability to safeguard the lives and property of every Lagosian.

''The government is convinced that this gesture will further boost the morale and capacity of the police, RRS and other security agencies in the state. We believe that this will send a clear signal that criminals and armed robbers no longer have a hiding place in the state.''

Perhaps, President Buhari will be represented at the Lagos state ceremony?