Security Beefed up in Otuoke as Jonathan Arrives for Brother ‘s Burial

Heavy security presence overwhelmed Otuoke, President Goodluck Jonathan’s home town Thursday as he arrived for the burial of his younger brother, Chief Meni Jonathan, which would take place Friday.

Meni  died two weeks ago at the National Hospital in Abuja after a brief illness.

The President was received on his arrival by the Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, top government officials, security chiefs and family members who later briefed him privately on the funeral arrangements.

A detachment of security personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, police, State Security Service (SSS) as well as members of the civil defence corps were seen everywhere in the village as the President  Jonathan walked around to inspect the level of preparations for the burial.
Before his arrival yesterday, the First Lady, Mrs. Patience Jonathan, had been in Otuoke since Wednesday to put in place some arrangements for the burial.

After a meeting with his family members, the President visited the residence of his late brother where he commiserated with the wife and daughter before leaving for the Pa Lawrence Ebele Jonathan Memorial Hall where the corpse is expected to lie in state today.

A sober President Jonathan who came out of his brother’s residence with misty eyes was led to the community town hall where the community elders are expected to receive the corpse when it arrives from Abuja today.

From the community town hall, the president was led to the St. Steven’s Anglican Church where the requiem mass is expected to hold today.