4,200 Police Officers Deployed In FCT Ahead Of Nationwide Protest

The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has deployed 4,200 police officers ahead of the nationwide protest beginning on August 1.

In a statement released on Friday, the command further revealed the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts at various strategic locations.

Police spokesperson  Josephine Adeh disclosed that the move is to guarantee public safety, protect protesters, and prevent the protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.

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“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,” she stated.

Adeh shared that Police, Benneth Igweh, the FCT Commissioner of Police, warned against the destruction of properties, adding that such acts would not be tolerated during the demonstration.

“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.”