2007年VOA标准英语-Nigerian Security Agencies on Full Alert Before

By Sarah Simpson
Lagos
08 April 2007

Nigeria's president Olusegun Obasanjo (File)

President Olusegun Obasanjo has put Nigerian security agencies on full alert ahead of crucial state and presidential elections, which begin at the weekend. Sarah Simpson reports for VOA from Lagos.

President Olusegun Obasanjo said in a statement Sunday he had placed Nigerian security forces on full alert before the forthcoming polls.

The elections are set to be a landmark¹ in Nigeria's troubled history, marking the country's first transfer of power from one elected civilian² leader to another.

President Obasanjo said security forces would "clamp down heavily" on anyone who threatens to disrupt the country's polls.

President Obasanjo said he had taken the step to prevent any threat to, what he described as Nigeria's "collective desire for trouble-free elections."

The President's statement is to be aired on national television as part of a special Easter broadcast.

Elections for 38 state governors are to take place on Saturday, with presidential polls to follow a week later.

Last week, a report by US-based Human Rights Watch criticized the Nigerian government for failing to tackle political violence before the polls.

EU election observers have said they will not be sending representatives to the restive³ Niger Delta⁴ in southern Nigeria, because of security fears.

1 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

2 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

3 restive   

adj.不安宁的，不安静的

参考例句：

• The government has done nothing to ease restrictions and manufacturers are growing restive.政府未采取任何措施放松出口限制,因此国内制造商变得焦虑不安。
• The audience grew restive.观众变得不耐烦了。

4 delta   

n.（流的）角洲

参考例句：

• He has been to the delta of the Nile.他曾去过尼罗河三角洲。
• The Nile divides at its mouth and forms a delta.尼罗河在河口分岔，形成了一个三角洲。