Democracy Day: Police Warn Against Violent Protests, Disruption of Critical Infrastructures

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  • As IGP counsels against tampering with National Grid

The Nigeria Police High Command on Tuesday declared that it is committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

Consequently, the Force warned that any attempt to disrupt critical infrastructure, which could lead to an act of economic sabotage, treasonable felony, and jeopardize national security and public safety, will not be condoned during any protest action.

The Police vowed that such acts would be met with the full force of the law, adding that it is determined to protect the rights of all citizens including those on peaceful protest but will not look on to see the rights of other citizens being violated.

It particularly said that no decent society anywhere in the world will tolerate violent destruction of lives and properties in the name of a protest.

The Force said that while it is committed to protecting the rights of those on peaceful protest, it will not look on to see the rights of others being violated in the name of a mass protest.

These were contained in a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi while reacting to what he described as ‘recent moves’ by some groups mobilizing for a mass protest nationwide.

The Police stressed that the right of citizens to protest is a right to peaceful protest only, adding that those who want to stage a peaceful protest are advised to inform the police and request for police protection.

Adejobi further said; “Those who do otherwise should be ready to face the full weight of the law. Members of the public are again reminded that it is a criminal offence to tamper with the national grid or prevent/disrupt the transmission of electricity.

“It is equally unacceptable to cause disruption to any other critical infrastructure such as airports, hospitals, and other essential services, or violent picketing in whatever magnitude”, the statement said.

The Force said that it is a civil and responsive institution, committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

The statement quoted the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, as directing all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and State Command Commissioners of Police, in collaboration with other security agencies, to ensure robust security arrangements to prevent any breakdown of law and order including strategic deployments to protect key infrastructures and ensure that protests, if any, remain peaceful and lawful.

The Police equally appealed to parents and guardians to warn their wards not to be used by disgruntled and misguided individuals who are mobilizing for destructions with intent to create anarchy.

It said that such individuals are advised in their own interest to shelve their unpatriotic and clandestine plans, adding that the police remain dedicated to upholding the rights of citizens while ensuring that public order is maintained.

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