The Benue State Police Command has warned that it will not approve any form of protest in the state for the time being following the bank robbery incident.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, made the announcement on Sunday.
Anene revealed that the command is aware of a planned protest by a group of people in the state.
She stated that the planned protest was a ploy to sabotage the efforts of the security agencies to manage the present fragile security situation in Benue.
The police spokesperson noted that any protest at this time would give hoodlums and other criminal-minded persons an opportunity to cause mayhem.
Anene appealed to the ‘intending protesters’ to refrain from such actions as the environment was not conducive to any protest.
The PPRO said: “Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) have been directed to tighten up security in their areas of responsibility and resist any efforts of protesters to encourage any breach of peace.
Stakeholders, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders, and parents, are advised to warn their children or wards to desist from any form of protest at this sensitive time.”
Anene assured the people of the state of the command’s commitment to fight crime and enjoined the people to provide useful and timely information to the police for prompt action.