The Inspector-General (I-G) of
Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has ordered the restriction of all forms of protests
within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the Unity Fountain, Central
Business District, Abuja.
The Force Public Relations
Officer (FPRO), DCP Frank Mba, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in
Abuja.
Mba said the order was in
furtherance of the efforts of the police to ensure security of lives and
property, free flow of traffic as well as protection of economic activities.
He said it was also to ensure a
more coordinated handling of peaceful protests in the territory, NAN reports.
According to him, by this
directive, intending protesters are requested to steer-clear of all critical
national infrastructure, especially the Three Arms Zone and other sensitive
security areas.
”They are, however, at liberty to
assemble and conduct peaceful protests within the Unity Fountain, the
authorised protest zone.
”The restriction is sequel to
series of protests, such as the one of Oct. 30, 2018 in various parts of Abuja,
which brought the Capital City to a standstill.
“It led to crumbling economic
activities and inflicting untold hardship on motorists and the general public.
”A similar protest during the
same month led to the setting ablaze of a Police Patrol Vehicle at Banex Plaza,
Abuja, traumatising innocent citizens.
“”The recent is the one of July
9, at the National Assembly that led to an unprovoked attack on Police officers
on legitimate national assignment, injuring nine of them,” he said.
He said that the force was aware
of the African Charter on Human Rights, which the Nigeria had ratified and the
constitutional provisions relating to the fundamental human rights,
particularly freedom of expression.
Mba said that the rights were,
however, not absolute and were constitutionally moderated by the genuine
concerns for public safety, public order and for the purpose of protecting the
rights and freedom of other persons.
““Needless to state that, it is
within the prerogative of the police to regulate activities of protesters who
have the tendency to cause damage to lives and property.
““Particularly to innocent and
non-protesting citizens, who also have equal right to exercise their freedom,
unmolested by the protesting group.
““It is against this backdrop
that the I-G seeks the cooperation and understanding of would-be protesters and
the general public.
“The I-G reiterates his call for
constructive collaboration between the citizens and the police in enthroning a
new culture of protests devoid of violence and damage to public and private
property,” he added.
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