The state Commissioner of Police, Mr Hussaini Gumel, said proactive security measures had already been adopted to ensure peaceful and orderly protests across the state.
The NLC had on February 16, announced a nationwide protest scheduled for February 27 and 28, in response to the economic challenges facing the country.
Following the announcement, the Federal Government through the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, had in a letter addressed to the counsel for the NLC, Femi Falana, dated February 23, 2024; reminded the labour congress of a subsisting order which restrains the union from embarking on any industrial action.
Despite this, the union proceeded with the protest.https://punchng.com/breaking-fg-nlc-meeting-ends-in-deadlock-labour-insists-on-protest/
Gumel said the deployment was in recognition of the right to peaceful protest, in line with extant laws, as a fundamental right of citizens.
Gumel explained that an operational order for the personnel had been issued to area commanders, tactical commanders, and divisional police officers across the 44 local government areas of the state.
He said the command was working with other security agencies in the state to ensure crisis-free movements of those who wanted to protest.
“We have mobilised sufficient armed personnel to provide security at all flashpoints, including political party offices, banks, commercial areas, recreation centres and motor parks before, during and after the protest.
“I am giving 100 percent assurance to all law-abiding residents of the state to go about freely with their legitimate daily activities without threat to lives and property,” the commissioner said.
He added that armed security personnel would be in all identified strategic locations in different parts of the state, to ensure surveillance duties and provide physical security during the protest.
He also expressed optimism that security measures already put in place would promote peaceful coexistence amongst the residents during and after the protest.
He said that the command would not tolerate any form of violence during and after the protest as officers were on red alert to confront any form of security threats in and outside the metropolis.
“We call upon those that want to protest to go about it in a civilised manner as our professional security personnel would carefully monitor the entire exercise.
NAN
