In anticipation of a planned nationwide protest by human rights activists and Nigerian youths against hunger and hardship, the federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced measures to prevent the exercise degenerating to violence.
By Emma Ogbuehi
In anticipation of a planned nationwide protest by human rights activists and Nigerian youths against hunger and hardship, the federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced measures to prevent the exercise degenerating to violence.
The Command said it has proactively deployed both material and human resources across the nation’s capital for the purpose.
Among the actions is the deployment of a total of 4,200 policemen across the nooks and crannies of the nation’s capital.
The command also announced the deployment of explosive ordinance device experts at various strategic locations.
The command in a statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the deployment was to ensure public safety, protection of protesters and to prevent the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.
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The statement added;
“The proactive deployment aims to ensure public safety, protect protesters, and prevent protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.
“It includes visibility policing and the deployment of explosive ordnance device (EOD) experts and personnel at various strategic locations.
“Additionally, operatives will conduct raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings, and shanties. They will also engage in stop-and-search operations, vehicular and foot patrols, and maintain synergy with sister security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, while acknowledging the residents’ right to protest, advises that protests should remain peaceful.
In a statement by SP Josephine Adeh, the spokesperson said, “The CP vows to resist all forms of violent protest and lawlessness, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives.”
Residents are also urged to be vigilant and report suspicious activities via the following Police emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352 CRU: 08107314192