Protest: FCT Police Deploy 4,200 Officers
Eko Hot Blog reports that the Police in Rivers State have issued a stern warning against the potential hijacking of a planned protest by the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) following the closure of 23 local government council secretariats in the state.
The caution comes amid allegations by the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) of a scheme involving former local government chairmen and 27 lawmakers loyal to Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to stage a protest.
In a statement released on Sunday night by police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, NULGE was strongly advised to reconsider their strike plans to prevent any potential breakdown of law and order.
“While the Command respects the right to lawful assembly, credible intelligence suggests that this protest may be infiltrated by hoodlums seeking to incite disruption and chaos,” the statement read. “Therefore, organizers are urged to suspend the planned protest to maintain public order.”
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The police underscored their commitment to safeguarding lives and properties in Rivers State, vowing to arrest and prosecute anyone or group attempting to disturb the peace.
“To ensure public safety, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji, has deployed officers to the Secretariats of all 23 Local Government Areas in the State,” the statement continued. “These officers will remain stationed until the threat of disruption has subsided.”
Meanwhile, during a press conference in Port Harcourt on Sunday, ALGON Chairman Ichemati Ezebunwo denounced the planned protest as a ploy to destabilize governance and create pretext for declaring a state of emergency in the state.
“We are drawing attention to the planned protest by former local government chairmen, House of Assembly members, and National Assembly members loyal to Minister Nyesom Wike against the Nigeria Police Force in the 23 local government councils,” Ezebunwo stated. “This protest does not serve the interest of local governments or the state. It is a calculated effort to tarnish our state’s image, cause chaos, and justify their unwarranted call for a state of emergency.”
He emphasized ALGON’s support for the police’s decision to secure and protect all local government council secretariats until further directives are issued.
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