The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has announced the deployment of at least 4,200 personnel to various strategic locations in anticipation of the planned nationwide protest on August 1.
According to a statement by Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, issued in Abuja on Friday, the FCT Command aims to curb any potential violence during the protest. This decision comes in response to the planned nationwide protest by human rights activists and Nigerian youths, who intend to express their displeasure over hunger and hardship.
The protest has garnered significant attention on social media, particularly on X.
Adeh stated that the command has proactively deployed both material and human resources throughout the nation’s capital to ensure public safety, protect protesters, and prevent the protest from being hijacked by non-state actors.
The deployment strategy includes visibility policing, the use of explosive ordinance device (EOD) experts, and personnel stationed at strategic locations, as well as raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings, and shanties.
Additional measures include stop and search operations, vehicular and foot patrols, and cooperation with sister security agencies.
Commissioner of Police FCT, CP Benneth Igweh, acknowledged the residents’ right to protest and advised that it be conducted peacefully.
He wrote, “The CP vows to resist all forms of violent protest and lawlessness, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives.
Residents are also urged to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines, to report suspicious activities through 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, and CRU: 08107314192.