The Nigeria Police on Monday, assured Nigerians of its readiness to protect their fundamental rights to engage in peaceful protest in line with the extant laws.
The assurance is on the heels of the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday.
The police, in a statement by its spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, however, warned that its men have been placed on red alert across the country to prevent impostors from hijacking the protest.
The police also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.
“In line with its lawful duty to maintain law and order, the Nigeria Police Force has deployed personnel nationwide and placed them on red alert to monitor the planned protest.
“All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on the ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned.
“While recognizing the importance of peaceful protest, the Nigeria Police Force remains vigilant against any attempts to hijack such protests by individuals or groups of persons with sinister intentions.
“Emphatically, the force, therefore, is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such,” Adejobi said.
The statement added that it is vital that the police have spread their tentacles nationwide to curb any attempt by some individuals who might want to leverage the nationwide protests, to create brouhaha.
Adejobi vowed that such will be met with an approved legal and proportional force, assuring that the police will not allow wanton breakdown of law and order, loss of lives and property like experienced in some instances in the past in any part of the country.
Adejobi reported the Inspector-General of Police urging all participants at the proposed protest to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly by adhering to the principles of non-violence and respect for the rights of others.
The IGP also called on the organizers to cooperate with the police and other relevant security agencies in ensuring that their protests remain peaceful and orderly even as it works tirelessly to ensure that protests are conducted in a safe environment, conducive to the promotion of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
