Police Sends Strong Warning To Nigerians Over June 12 Democracy Day
The Anambra State Police Command has warned residents of the state against engaging in any group or mass protest on Wednesday to disrupt Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration.
The command issued the warning in a statement issued on Tuesday by its Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, saying that the warning became necessary based on the information and intelligent report of persons and groups mobilising for a protest on Wednesday.
This comes as the Take It Back Movement (TIB), African Action Congress party (AAC), Joint Action Front (JAF), Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Socialist Workers and Youth League (SWL) and PRP Vanguard, scheduled to hold a mass protest against hardship and acute hunger in Nigeria on Wednesday.
According to the organisations, since May 29, 2023 when President Bola Tinubu removed fuel subsidy, Nigerians have been plunged into greater hardship and hunger as prices of fuel, food, transport, electricity, school fees and other basic amenities have skyrocketed beyond what average Nigerians can afford.
The police spokesperson said, “The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, urges Ndi Anambra and residents alike to dissociate themselves from any act that threatens our public peace and national unity and reiterates that the Command shall live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons.
“This affirmation is given after a critical threat analysis by the Command based on the information and intelligent report of persons and groups mobilising for a protest on June 12, 2024, Democracy Day, a day mapped out to commemorate the restoration of democracy in the country.”
Ikenga said that the police envisaged that the protest was capable of grounding all commercial activities and obstructing the free flow of traffic in the state.
According to him, “The Command while noting the right of individuals or groups to advocate for any interest, wishes to emphasise the importance of adherence to the existing laws governing such activities; and deployed police operatives to different strategic areas, tasked with the responsibility to ensure the safety of lives and property, free flow of traffic, and most especially a peaceful environment.
“CP Itam while wishing Ndi Anambra a Happy Democracy Day celebration commended their cooperation and their resolve in sustaining the message of peace and standing up against any act that threatens our public peace.
“He also encourages the good people of the State to remain law-abiding, and vigilant, and continue to partner with and support the police and other security agencies, to synergise and collaborate towards combating all forms of criminality as well as ensuring public security and safety in the state.
“Also in the event to request security service or to report any security-related incident or otherwise, call us on 07039194332 for a prompt response, please.”
