Nigerian Police
Police Restrict
Nigerian Police
Police Restrict Protests in Abuja to Unity
Fountain
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