Nationwide protest: Military will come out if… – Police PRO

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) at the Force Headquarters, Abuja has disclosed other security agencies, including the military, will support the NPF to manage the upcoming protests.

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TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports ACP Adejobi to have said on Wednesday ahead of the nationwide protests starting from August 1st that the military will come out in case of any eventuality and that they will not oppress anybody.

Speaking on the preparedness of the police ahead of the nationwide protests, Adejobi also disclosed that President Bola Tinubu has passed out instructions to the security agencies that no life should be lost to the protests, adding that where necessary, the police will engage protesters in a professional manner.

“We are doing our deployment. Other agencies are supporting us. The military is not coming out to oppress anybody. We have not militarised this system. People have been raising issues. But they are going to be out in case of any eventuality. But, majorly they will be protecting critical national infrastructures.

“The President is a democrat. He has given instructions to all of us. He does not want any soul to be lost and we do not pray for that. Where we think we need to engage protesters, we will do it professionally and within the ambit of the law,” he said.

What we will not allow protesters to do – ACP Adejobi

TNG reports Adejobi, who made the disclosures when he was featured in a TVC programme, Your View, on Wednesday, urged organisers of the protests to avoid unplanned and unwarranted processions during the planned nationwide protest.

“If protesters are confined in a place, all unnecessary dangers will be reduced. But with a procession, it will make it very difficult for us. Where people are vandalising vehicles, we will not allow that. Where people are blocking the road and violating the rights of others, we will not allow that. Where people are seen carrying guns in the name of protest, we will not allow that. If the protest turns riotous, we will not fold our hands,” he said.

Since the protests have been scheduled to take place across States of the Federation simultaneously, Adejobi urged protesters to assemble at designated locations so that the police and security forces can protect them.

While confirming that only one group has made its intention to protest known to the police, the Police PRO stressed that it is always difficult to manage, guide, and protect street processions.

“We are not, officially, aware of any other group. Those who want to protest apart from the known group led by the SAN, Ebun Adegboruwa, should endeavour to meet their respective CPs for necessary pre-protest discussions like the one the IGP organised on Tuesday, virtually,” Adejobi stated.