POLICE, DSS WARN AGAINST VIOLENT PROTESTS As IGP Orders Deployment of personals

 POLICE, DSS WARN AGAINST VIOLENT PROTESTS

...As IGP Orders Deployment of personals

Following recent moves by some groups mobilizing for a mass protest nationwide, the Nigeria Police Force reiterate that the right of citizens to protest is a right to peaceful protest only. The Nigeria police will protect the rights of all citizens including those on peaceful protest. However, no decent society anywhere in the world will tolerate violent destruction of lifes and properties in the name of a protest. While the NPF is committed to protecting the rights of those on peaceful protest, it will not look on to see the rights of others being violated in the name of a mass protest. 

Those who want to stage a peaceful protest are advised to inform the police and request for police protection. Those who do otherwise should be ready to face the full weight of the law. Members of the public are again reminded that it is a criminal offence to tamper with the national grid or prevent/ disrupt the transmission of electricity. It is equally unacceptable to cause disruption to any other Critical Infrastructure such as airports, hospitals and other essential services, or violent picketing in whatever magnitude.

Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun

The Nigeria Police Force, being a civil and responsive institution, committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, therefore warns that any attempt to disrupt critical infrastructure, which could lead to an act of economic sabotage, treasonable felony, and jeopardize national security and public safety, will not be condoned during any protest action but will be met with the full force of the law.

The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and State Command Commissioners of Police in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure robust security arrangements are in place to prevent any breakdown of law and order including strategic deployments to protect key infrastructures and ensure that protests, if any, remain peaceful and lawful.

The release signed by the force PPRO; ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, equally appeals to parents and guardians to warn their wards not to be used by disgruntled and misguided individuals who are mobilizing for violent protest with intent to create anarchy. Such individuals are also advised to shelve their unpatriotic and clandestine plans in their own interest, adding that they remain dedicated to upholding the rights of citizens while ensuring that public order is maintained. 

Similarly, the Department of State Services (DSS) has stated that it would not tolerate plans to incite violence through protests in any part of the country.

In a statement issued by the DSS spokesman; Dr. Peter Afunanya, the organisation said it was aware of plans by certain individuals and groups physical protests in some parts of the country on Wednesday, June 12, 2024.

"The protests are designed with sinister objectives to coincide with the Democracy Day Celebration," he said.

The statement called on citizens to resist any persuasions to be lawless or cause disorder and anarchy in the nation, noting that aggrieved persons should channel their grievances to through the right procedure.

“The Service, while felicitating the government and citizens on this auspicious occasion of celebrating 25 years of unbroken democracy, calls for continued patriotism, unity and commitment to building a Nigeria of our collective dream.

“The Service…will sustain collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including sister security agencies, to maintain the peace as well as protect lives and property across the nation. Law-abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their businesses without fear.” the letter stated.