The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed 4,200 police officers throughout the nation’s capital in preparation for the planned nationwide protest.
The command also announced the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts in several important areas.
The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated on Friday that the deployment was intended to safeguard public safety, protect demonstrators, and prevent non-state actors from hijacking the demonstration.
She noted that raids on known dark spots, unfinished buildings/shanties, and stop-and-search operations, among other things, would be conducted in coordination with sister security organisations.
She said, “The FCT Police Command, in anticipation of the planned nationwide protest by some human rights activists and Nigerian youths to publicly express their displeasure over hunger and hardship, has proactively deployed material and human resources across the nooks and crannies of the nation’s capital.
“The proactive deployment, which is aimed at ensuring public safety, protecting protesters, and preventing protests from being hijacked by non-state actors, is characterised by visibility policing, the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts and personnel at various strategic locations, raids on identified black spots, uncomkpleted buildings/shanties, stop-oand-search operations, vehicular and foot patrols, and synergy with sister security agencies.”
Adeh mentioned that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, warned that the destruction of public and private properties would not be tolerated during the protest.
She said, “The Commissioner of Police FCT, while acknowledging the right of residents to protest, advises that it should be peaceful.
“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.”
She advised residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities.
