As Yobe State recovers from insurgency, the Commissioner of Police, Garba Ahmed has acknowledged citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly but called for caution by the organisers of the #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria protest.
According to the Command through the PPRO, DSP Dungus Abdulkarim, “However, we are unprepared to face additional security challenges. Recent insurgency activities in Gujba LGA, including an IED explosion, have raised concerns. We have received intelligence that insurgents plan to exploit planned protests to execute heinous acts.
“We commend patriots who have withdrawn from protests due to sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence. We note concerns about foreign mercenaries’ involvement in the planned protest.
“We urge citizens to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group. While we alert citizens to sinister motives, even peaceful protests at this time may be ill-timed.
“We warn clandestine groups plotting to destabilize the state and hoodlums seeking to exploit protests for criminal agendas.”
To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, the Command demanded for the organisers to provide the proposed protest routes and assembly points, expected duration of the protest, names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers and measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements.
The Command stated, “By providing this information, we can deploy adequate personnel and resources, designate specific routes and areas, establish clear communication channels, and minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or criminal activity.
“We encourage protesters to cooperate with the Police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly. We are committed to working with all to promote peaceful expression and maintain public order.”
The Commissioner then commended people of Yobe state for their cooperation in maintaining law and order and urged them to continue to support security agencies in restoring peace and stability in order to foster economic growth in the state.
ALSO READ THESE TOP STORIES FROM TheWitness
Kenneth Okonkwo dumps Labour Party, Obi
