FCT Police Deploy 4,200 Officers Ahead of Nationwide Protest

In anticipation of a planned nationwide protest, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has deployed 4,200 officers throughout Abuja.

The deployment, aimed at ensuring public safety in the FCT and preventing the protest from being hijacked by non-state actors, was confirmed in a statement released by the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, on Friday.

According to a report, the deployment includes experts in explosive ordnance devices stationed at various strategic locations. The FCT Police Command, in collaboration with other security agencies, will conduct operations such as stop-and-search, raids on known black spots, and checks on incomplete buildings and shantytowns.

Adeh stated, “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 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.”

Commissioner of Police for the FCT, Benneth Igweh, emphasized that while the right to protest is acknowledged, it must be peaceful. He warned that any form of violent protest or lawlessness would not be tolerated, and the police would act to prevent the destruction of both public and private property or any loss of lives.

“The Commissioner of Police FCT, while acknowledging the right of residents to protest, advises that it should be peaceful,” Adeh said. “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 also urged the public to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to the police using the provided emergency lines.

GWG.ng reports that the planned protest, set to take place from August 1-10, 2024, is driven by widespread dissatisfaction with the current economic hardship affecting the Nigerian populace.
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