JUST IN: Tension As 4,200 Policemen Take Over Abuja, Ahead of Nationwide Protest

Ahead of the proposed nationwide protest, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed 4,200 policemen across the nooks and crannies of the nation’s capital.

The command also announced the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts at various strategic locations.

In a statement on Friday by its spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the command said the deployment was 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.

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, uncompleted buildings/shanties, stop-and-search operations, vehicular and foot patrols, and synergy with sister security agencies.”

Adeh noted 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.”

Adeh urged residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities.