The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Tuesday said it intervened and prevented a breakdown of law and order, and disturbance of public peace by dispersing some miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements that have infiltrated a protest by Charly Boy and others.
Protesters gathered at Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari either resume office or resign were dispersed with tear gas and water cannon.
A statement by FCT Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Anjuguri Manzah, recalled that the protesters had carried out their protest on Monday at the same venue and were accorded necessary police presence to safeguard public safety, and protect their rights to freedom of expression, rights to peaceful assembly and association, and right to freedom of movement.
It, however, added that the same group assembled at the same venue on Tuesday but allowed miscreants, hoodlums and other unruly individuals to infiltrate the protests.
Such elements, the police claimed, started blocking the major roads adjoining the Unity Fountain, obstructing traffic and preventing movements of other innocent citizens from going to their means of livelihood, and thereby exhibiting unruly behaviours and other violent acts very likely to cause the breakdown of law and order and disturbance of public peace.
“The police personnel intervened at the point that the concerned Nigerians Group lost control of the crowd and prevented miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements from hijacking the protest to cause mayhem and chaos,” the statement said.
While recognising the constitutional rights of every citizen to assemble and move freely in any part of the Federal Capital Territory, the police said they will not allow any protest under any guise to turn violent and jeopardise the prevailing peace, law and order currently being enjoyed in the FCT.
“The command wishes to assure all residents and visitors to the territory of adequate security and protection of lives and property of everyone including those who choose to express their constitutional rights of protest with decorum.
“Consequently, members of the public, parents and guardians, religious/opinion leaders and other interest groups are advised to prevail on their children and wards, followers and adherents not to allow themselves to be used by any group to cause disturbance of public peace and break down of law and order,” the statement concluded.
