The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 7, AIG Benneth Igweh, has declared that no form of protest or procession from any group will be allowed in Abuja.
This is just as he disclosed that some groups were planning to go against the law by embarking on unauthorized protest in the FCT.
He said, “October 1 is our independence day and the Federal Government has declared public holiday for all Nigerians to celebrate. We are ready to protect you. We are ready to guarantee your protection to celebrate as long as you act within the ambit of the law.
“We have a lot of intelligence at our disposal that some miscreants including members of the proscribed Islamic Movements of Nigeria (Shiites) want to take to the streets to protest. This cannot be allowed because they have been proscribed. They don’t have right of assembly. They don’t have right of procession.
“Tomorrow, anybody or group that wants to flout the law, we will be ready for them. If anybody decides to join them, congratulations to them.
Reminded that some groups planning to embark on protest against hardship said they have submitted application for peaceful/guided protest to the office of the IGP, Igweh said, “The Police Command in FCT has not received any letter or application for any protest March. So protesters should stay away from Abuja.
On whether protest is no longer allowed as enshrined in the constitution, AIG Igweh said, “Protest is allowed if it is within the ambit of the law. But if your protest is not within the ambit of the law, we will tell you that the law exists and the law must be obeyed.
VANGUARD
