By Olawale Lamina
Ahead of the much talked about nationwide protests by some interest, the Federal Capital Territory, FCT Police Command, in a proactive move, has deployed 4,200 policemen across the the nation’s capital to forestall any unforseen danger.
In a statement on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the command said the deployment of the number of operatives was part of efforts to enthrone public safety, protect protesters themselves, and prevent the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors. The command also announced the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts at strategic locations at the nation’s capital.
She informed that the Command will carry out raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, and stop-and-search operations, among others, in collaboration with sister security agencies.
The statement by the Command reads in part: “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, uncompleted buildings/shanties, stop-and-search operations, vehicular and foot patrols, and synergy with sister security agencies.”
The spokesperson stated that the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh warned that destruction of public and private properties would not be allowed to take place during the protest.
Adeshina said that, “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 called on the FCT residents to be vigilant and make use of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities around them.
The planned nationwide protest is scheduled to hold from August 1 to 10, 2024. The proposed action is in reaction to the current economic hardship currently facing majority of the citizens. The netizens have been particularly supportive of the move, while the sponsors of the protests are yet to be openly identified, despite government appeals to them to shelve the planned protests, The Pinnacle Times can report.
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