By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has deployed 4,200 policemen across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in anticipation of the upcoming nationwide protest.
This was disclosed in a press statement issued by the Spokesperson of the FCT’s Police Command, Josephine Adeh on Friday.
Adeh revealed that the command has also deployed explosive ordnance device experts to various strategic locations in the nation’s capital.
She explained that the move is to ensure public safety, protect protesters, and prevent the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.
She added that there would be raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, and stop-and-search operations, among others, in collaboration with sister security agencies.
The statement 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 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.”
