By Seyi Babalola
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed 4,200 police officers across the nation’s capital in preparation for the planned nationwide protests.
The leadership also announced the deployment of explosive ordnance device specialists in many important areas.
The command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, stated on Friday that the deployment was intended to safeguard public safety, defend protestors, and prevent non-state actors from hijacking the events.
She stated that raids will be conducted on designated dark spots, unfinished buildings/shanties, and stop-and-search operations, among other things, in coordination with sister security organizations.
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.
