Authorities in the United Kingdom have announced road closures and temporary airspace restrictions ahead of the arrival of Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a state visit hosted by Charles III.

President Tinubu is expected to begin the visit on Wednesday, March 18, accompanied by Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu. An official reception for the Nigerian leader is scheduled to take place at Windsor Castle.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Thames Valley Police said it is working closely with the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, the Royal Household, and other security partners to ensure the visit proceeds smoothly and securely.

As part of the heightened security arrangements, authorities confirmed that the permanent airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle will be extended on March 18 from 7:00 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.

Chief Superintendent Adrian Hall of the police force’s Joint Operations Unit said the airspace limitations form only one aspect of a comprehensive security operation planned for the high-profile diplomatic engagement.

“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,” Hall said.

He added that the police have extensive experience managing security during royal events in Windsor, noting that significant planning and preparation have gone into the operation.

Hall also warned that the authorities would strictly enforce the restrictions, stressing that any violation would constitute a criminal offence under the Air Navigation Order and could lead to arrest.

Security deployment during the visit will include specialised police units such as search teams, mounted officers, road policing personnel, and armed officers. These units will operate alongside neighbourhood policing teams and resources from the Project Servator.

Officials said additional safety measures would include Windsor’s extensive closed-circuit television network and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers positioned around key locations.

Authorities have urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity by contacting police through 101 or speaking directly with officers on duty. Emergencies should be reported through the 999 service.

Meanwhile, road closures and parking restrictions are set to take effect from Tuesday, March 17, with temporary traffic disruptions expected in and around Windsor during the visit.

Thames Valley Police added that it is working in coordination with the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services to enforce the temporary flight restrictions. Individuals with legitimate reasons to operate drones during the restricted period have been advised to seek prior clearance from the police.

A United Kingdom court has sentenced a Nigerian man, Adedapo Adegbola, to life imprisonment for the murder of his former girlfriend, 23-year-old Stephanie Irons, following the end of their relationship.

Adegbola was sentenced on Thursday at Nottingham Crown Court and ordered to serve a minimum of 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge last month.

The court heard that Adegbola and Irons met as colleagues and were briefly in a relationship, which later ended due to what the trial judge described as Adegbola’s controlling behaviour. Prosecutors said he became fixated on Irons and planned the attack after she broke off the relationship.

On 21 October, Adegbola went to Irons’s residence in Mapperley, Nottinghamshire, where she was killed. He fled the scene but surrendered himself to the police in Hull the following day.

During sentencing, members of Irons’s family paid tribute to her, describing her as compassionate and kind-hearted. Her mother told the court she was devastated by the loss, saying her daughter had a warm personality and always sought to make others happy.

Delivering judgment, Judge Nirmal Shant KC said Adegbola’s refusal to accept the end of the relationship ultimately led to the fatal incident.

Detective Inspector Stuart Barson commended the victim’s family for their strength throughout the investigation and court proceedings.

Meanwhile, Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that a 40-year-old woman, Mary Onolunosen, has been charged with assisting an offender. She is scheduled to appear before Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on March 6.

A Finnish court on Monday sentenced Nigerian-born Finnish politician Simon Ekpa to six years in prison for terrorism-related offences.

The Päijät-Häme District Court found the 40-year-old former Lahti municipal councillor guilty of participating in a terrorist organisation, incitement to commit crimes for terrorist purposes, aggravated tax fraud, and violations of the Lawyers Act.

Prosecutors said that between 2021 and 2024, Ekpa promoted the independence of the so-called Biafra region in Nigeria through illegal means, using social media to influence followers and support armed groups the court classified as terrorist organisations.

The court ruled that Ekpa provided weapons and explosives through his contacts and urged his supporters on X, formerly Twitter, to commit crimes in Nigeria. He denied all charges.

Ekpa was arrested in December 2024 and tried over 12 sessions earlier this year. A three-judge panel delivered the unanimous verdict, ordering him to remain in custody.