TheCable

The Niger government has banned all forms of demonstrations and processions in the state.

In a statement on Thursday, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, secretary to the state government (SSG), said the ban takes effect immediately.

“The decision to ban protests and processions is as a result of the security situation in the country occasioned by end SARS protests,” the SSG said.

“Though [the] government would continue to respect the right of the people of the state to go about with their legitimate activities, it would however not allow any group to abuse the right of the citizens by breaking the law and infringing on other people’s rights in the community and public roads.”

For 12 days, protesters gathered in various parts of the country to campaign against brutality and extra-judicial killings by members of the special anti-robbery squad unit of the Nigeria Police.

The protest, which was tagged #EndSARS, was hijacked by hoodlums leading to violence and destruction of state-owned and private assets.

In the aftermath of the protests, Nigerians have also broken into government and private warehouses after COVID-19 palliatives were found in some warehouses.

Commenting on the Eid-el Maulud celebrations, Matane asked Muslim clerics to ensure Eid-el Maulud activities are celebrated within their localities.