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.
Scores of police men 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.
Also 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 planeconveying Agagu’s casket, some family members and top Ondo State Government officials, the family resolved to continue with the burial programme.
No fewer than 14 persons died in the crash while six others were injured.
It would be recalled that the PDP Chairman in the state, Mr Ebenezer Alabi, announced the decision to continue with the burial programme on Thursday after meeting with Agagu’s family.
“ 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,’’ he said. (NAN)