Authorities in the United Kingdom have announced airspace restrictions and deployment of armed police officers in Windsor ahead of President Bola Tinubu state visit next week.

King Charles III is hosting Mr Tinubu alongside his wife Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle on 18 and 19 March.

In a statement published on its website on Wednesday, Thomas Valley Police said airspace restrictions over Windsor Castle would be extended on 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 were necessary part of a broader security operation for Mr Tinubu’s 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,” Mr Hall noted.

The force, which stated that it has a considerable amount of experience in policing Royal events in Windsor, added that significant planning and preparation had gone into the forthcoming state visit to ensure safety of attendees.

“We will ensure everyone attending the state visit, including dignitaries, spectators and members of the public, are kept safe to enjoy the historic occasion,” Mr Hall said.

Noting that it would take a strong stance in enforcing the restrictions, the force warned 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,” it explained.

The force further promised to deploy officers with specialist capabilities, including search teams Mounted Section, road policing, and armed units, across Windsor, noting several road closures and parking restrictions would be in place from 17 March in and around Windsor during the visit.

It added that an extensive closed-circuit television network, hostile vehicle mitigation barriers, and other undisclosed security measures would also be used for the event.

“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.

“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,” Mr Hall stated.