Abuja to the Unity Fountain, warning would-be protesters to adhere
strictly to the new directives.A statement signed by Force Spokesman, Frank Mba, said the decision was
to ensure security, free flow of economic activities and protection of
properties in the city.
The statement reads:
In furtherance of the efforts by the Police at ensuring safety and
security of life and property, the free flow of traffic and the
protection of commerce and other economic activities, as well as a more
coordinated handling of peaceful protest, the Inspector-General of
Police M.A. Adamu,NPM,mni has restricted all forms of protests within
the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the Unity Fountain, Central
Business District, Abuja. 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 authorized protest zone).
The restriction is sequel to series of protests, such as the one on 30th
October, 2018 in various parts of Abuja, which brought the Capital City
to a standstill, 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, traumatizing innocent citizens. This year, on the
9th of July, another protest at the National Assembly, Abuja, led to an
unprovoked attack on Police officers on legitimate national assignment,
injuring nine (9) of them and causing massive damage to public and
private property.
The Force is not unaware of the African Charter on Human Rights, which
the Nigerian State has ratified and the Constitutional provisions
relating to the fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of
expression, right to peaceful assembly and freedom of movement. It is
important however to note that these rights are not absolute and are
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 life 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 IGP seeks the cooperation and
understanding of would-be protesters and the general public. He
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.
DCP FRANK MBA
FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FORCE HEADQUARTERS
ABUJA