By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna State police command has caution citizens and encouraged the August 1st planned protesters to cooperate with them, ahead of of the time.
The command, in a statement on Sunday also issued stern warning to what it described as clandestine groups plotting to destabilize the country, and to hoodlums seeking to exploit the protests for their criminal agendas.
The statement signed by the command police spokesman Asp Mansir Hassan stressed that police will not tolerate the killing of innocent citizens, the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, or the looting of businesses.
“We issue a stern warning to clandestine groups plotting to destabilize the country, and to hoodlums seeking to exploit the protests for their criminal agendas.
“We will not tolerate the killing of innocent citizens, the destruction of public infrastructure and private property, or the looting of businesses”, it stated.
Police also stated that “In the interest of public safety and order, we request all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the State where the protest is intended to take place. To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest”.
The police command for Proposed protest routes and assembly point, expected duration of the protest, Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.
It also demanded for measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers for isolating potential troublemakers.
According to the release by providing this information, the Police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
According to police establishing clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise is necessary, to also minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
‘The Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Ali Dabigi, encourages all protesters, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights. We are committed to working with all Nigerians to promote peaceful expression and maintain public order.
Earlier, the Command stated that it has been closely monitoring the developments surrounding the planned protests scheduled from 1st August to 10th August.
“We have observed that while some groups are advocating for peaceful demonstrations, others are calling for violent protests, drawing inspiration from recent events in Kenya. Additionally, there are individuals who claim to support peaceful protests but with undertones of violence, raising concerns about their true intentions.
“The Command commends the patriots who have decided to withdraw from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those advocating violence.
“We also acknowledge those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, recognizing the potential manipulation by enemies of our country. We can confirm that their concerns are valid.
“We urge citizens of Kaduna State to exercise caution and reconsider joining any protest groups. While we respect the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest, we emphasize that even a peaceful protest at this time may be ill-timed due to the potential for exploitation by groups with malicious intentions”, it stated.
