Protesters
FCT Police command in the early hours of today 8th August,
2017 intervened and prevented breakdown of law and order, and
disturbance of public peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT),
Abuja by dispersing some miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal
elements that have infiltrated the protest being carried out by a group
of concerned Nigerians under the auspices of Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement at Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja.
It will be recalled that “Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement” carried out their protest on Monday 7thAugust,
2017 at the same venue and were accorded necessary Police presence to
safe guard public safety and public peace, and protect their rights to
freedom of expression, rights to peaceful Assembly and Association, and
right to freedom of movement as provided for in sections 39, 40, and 41
of the 1999 constitution as amended.
However, today 8th August,
2017 the same group assembled at the same venue but allowed miscreants,
hoodlums and other unruly individuals to infiltrate the protests, who
started blocking the major roads adjoining the Unity fountain,
obstructing traffic and preventing movements of other innocent citizens
from going to their means of livelihood, and thereby exhibiting unruly
behaviors and other violent acts very likely to cause the breakdown of
law and order and disturbance of public peace. The Police personnel
intervened at the point that the concerned Nigerians Group lost control
of the crowd and prevented miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal
elements from hijacking the protest to cause mayhem and chaos.
It
is pertinent to state here that the FCT Police command is fully aware
and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen including “
Our Mumu Dondo group” to assemble and move freely in any part of the
Federal Capital Territory, but the command will not allow any protest
under any guise to turn violent and jeopardize the prevailing peace,
law and order currently being enjoyed in the FCT. The command wishes to
assure all residents and visitors to the territory of adequate security
and protection of lives and property of everyone including those who
choose to express their constitutional rights of protest with decorum.
Consequently,
members of the public, parents and guardians, religious/opinion leaders
and other interest groups are advised to prevail on their children and
wards, followers and adherents not to allow themselves to be used by any
group to cause disturbance of public peace and break down of law and
order.
NTA
Comments
Post a Comment