Britain will impose airspace restrictions and deploy armed police officers in Windsor next week as President Bola Tinubu arrives for a state visit hosted by King Charles III.

Tinubu is expected to begin the visit in the company of his wife Oluremi Tinubu on Wednesday, March 18, with a reception at Windsor Castle.

Thames Valley Police in a statement on its website on Wednesday, said it is working with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household and other security partners.

The force said airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle, which are in place permanently throughout the year, would be extended on Wednesday, March 18, to cover the period from 7am to 11.59pm.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of Thames Valley Police’s Joint Operations Unit said the air restrictions formed part of a broader security operation for the visit.

“The air restrictions are just one part of our robust security operation for the state visit of Nigerian President Tinubu next week, with many measures you will see and others you will not..

“As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor and significant planning, and preparation has gone into this event,” Hall said.

He said the force would take a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions, warning that any breach would constitute a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest.

“We will be taking a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions; anyone who breaches them will be committing a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could be arrested.”

The police chief said officers with specialist capabilities, including search teams, the Mounted Section, road policing, and armed units, would be deployed across Windsor, alongside neighbourhood policing and Project Servator resources.

“We will also be deploying numerous police officers to Windsor with specialist capabilities, including our search teams, Mounted Section, Roads Policing and armed units, while our neighbourhood and Project Servator resources will also be on the ground engaging with the public,” he said.

The authorities will also deploy an extensive closed-circuit television network, hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, and other undisclosed security measures for the event.

Hall said, “We will also be using the extensive CCTV network in Windsor, Hostile Vehicle Mitigation barriers, and many other security measures that you may not be able to see to make sure the event runs safely.”

He urged members of the public to support the security operation by remaining vigilant.

“The public plays a critical role to support us so we encourage them to report any suspicious activity or anything that does not seem quite right by calling 101 or speaking to one of our officers. If there is an immediate threat or emergency, then call 999,” Hall added.

Road closures and parking restrictions will take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with possible temporary disruption to roads in and around Windsor during the visit.

Thames Valley Police said it was being supported by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the flight restrictions. Persons with legitimate reasons for drone flying were directed to email TVPAirspaceRequests@thamesvalley.police.uk.

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The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has called on the Borno State Internal Revenue Service to treat taxpayers fairly, noting that many residents pay taxes under difficult economic conditions.

The Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner overseeing Borno and Yobe states, Linus Gubbi, gave the charge on Thursday during a sensitisation workshop for staff of the organisation in Maiduguri.

According to him, staff of the organisation must imbibe discipline and adhere strictly to professionalism so that taxpayers will feel the impact of their taxes.

He said, “Borno State, like the rest of Nigeria, is at a critical juncture. Our people are recovering from years of insecurity, displacement, and underdevelopment.

“The government needs resources to provide security, rebuild infrastructure, support livelihoods, improve education and healthcare, and give our youths hope. Those resources depend heavily on revenue generation, and that makes each of you central to the state’s future.

“Your work is therefore not just about taxes, levies, and rates, but about trust. It is about whether citizens can believe their government and its institutions.

“It is about whether businesses feel confident to invest. It is about whether the poor and vulnerable receive the services they deserve,” he added.

Gubbi stated that, with the current economic situation in the country, deliberate efforts must be made to assure the people that they can be confident in the government.

“Many citizens are paying their taxes under difficult economic conditions. Some are traders struggling to survive, farmers recovering from displacement, civil servants on modest salaries, and businesses trying to stay afloat.

“They must be assured that every naira they contribute is handled with honesty and diligence,” he noted.

The ICPC boss called for greater accountability and transparency in the system, while urging staff to avoid illegal activities.

“Let me end with a concrete call to action for all of us: Renew your personal commitment to honesty and professionalism, refuse any form of bribe, kickback, or illegal gratification, treat taxpayers with fairness, courtesy, and respect.

“Use official channels only; avoid informal arrangements, report corruption,” he stressed.

Responding, the Director, Administration and Supply, Borno State Internal Revenue Service, Ali Umar Ishidi, commended the agency, describing the session as a timely reminder for staff on their roles and obligations.

“What we have heard here, we will spread the information to our subordinates to be careful of the dangers of corruption in our organisation,” he stated.

He assured the commission that the organisation had put necessary measures in place to prevent corruption in the system.

“The revenue collection in Borno State is e-collection. No tax administrator is allowed to collect cash. Everything is through an electronic system. Corruption here is minimal,” he said.

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The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday threatened to revoke the bail earlier granted the publisher of SaharaReporters, Omoyele Sowore, over his absence in court in his ongoing trial for alleged cyberstalking of President Bola Tinubu.

The trial judge, Mohammed Umar, warned that he would issue a bench warrant for the activist’s arrest if he fails to appear at the next adjourned date.

Sowore is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services over alleged defamatory statements he made against Tinubu on his social media platforms.

The DSS accused Sowore of referring to Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts published on his X and Facebook accounts, which the prosecution alleged were false and capable of causing public disorder.

At Thursday’s proceedings, Sowore and members of his legal team were absent when the case was called.

Counsel for the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defence to conclude the cross-examination of the first prosecution witness.

Kehinde told the court that the defendant was duly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers.

He added that there was no explanation for Sowore’s absence and none of his lawyers, whom he said were about 30 in number, appeared in court to represent him.

Citing Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the senior lawyer urged the court to revoke the bail granted to the defendant and issue a bench warrant for his arrest to ensure his production in court.

In his ruling, Umar confirmed that the defendant had been served with the hearing notice through his legal representatives.

However, the judge noted that Sowore had consistently attended previous proceedings since the commencement of the trial late last year.

He also observed that some of the earlier adjournments in the matter were at the instance of both the prosecution and the defence.

Umar held that the defendant should be given the benefit of the doubt since it was the first time he was absent from court.

The judge, however, warned that he would not hesitate to grant the prosecution’s request to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant for his arrest if he fails to appear at the next hearing.

The matter was subsequently adjourned until March 16 for continuation of trial, while the court directed that another hearing notice be served on the defence.

Sowore had earlier been admitted to bail after pleading not guilty to the charge.

The court granted him bail in the sum of N10m with one surety in like sum.
The judge held that the surety must be a responsible Nigerian citizen with landed property within the Federal Capital Territory and must depose to an affidavit of means.

Umar also ordered the defendant to deposit his international passport with the court registrar, while the surety is required to submit valid identification and original title documents of the property for verification by the court.

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