The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has denied allegations of attacking the October 1 protesters in Abuja, stating that it “only took proactive measures to prevent looting.”
Despite videos circulating on social media showing police officers firing teargas at a group of about 50 peaceful protesters near Utako Market on Tuesday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, issued a statement claiming that these videos misrepresent the actual events.
“The command wishes to categorically debunk the narrative, tagging it completely false and misleading.
“Acting on intelligence, the operatives only took measures to forestall some miscreants who were taking advantage of the protest to loot shops in the market and as a result, extended focus to them,” he said.
Dubbed the “National Day of Survival,” the demonstrations followed larger rallies in August, when security forces killed at least 21 protesters in a nationwide crackdown, according to Amnesty International.
After coming to power last year, President Bola Tinubu brought reforms to revive the economy and attract foreign investment.
However, critics have faulted these, especially policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of the foreign exchange rates which many Nigerians believed were responsible for the unimaginable inflation and soaring living and energy costs in the country.
SP Adeh added the Police’s responsibility of safeguarding lives and property is of uttermost importance and his men could not watch criminal elements attack protesters.
“As a responsible agency, we could not stand by and allow traders to be robbed of their hard-earned money and belongings without intervening.”
The police command urged the public to disregard the misleading and mischievous information, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the public while ensuring they exercise their civil rights safely.