BY Abdulsalam Abdullah
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) says it has placed its operatives on red alert across the country ahead of the proposed nationwide mass protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
On February 16, NLC declared a two-day nationwide protest over the economic hardship in the country.
The protest is billed to take place on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The Department of State Services (DSS) had called on the NLC to shun the protest while the federal government said the planned demonstration is in contempt of a court order restraining the union from embarking on industrial action.
In a statement on Monday, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the police public relations officer (PPRO), said officers have been directed to guarantee the safety of the protesters.
“All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned,” the statement reads.
“Emphatically, the force is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such.
“It is vital to state that the police has spread its tentacles nationwide to curb any attempt by some individuals who might want to leverage on the nationwide protests, to create brouhaha, and such will be met with an approved legal and proportional force as the Police will not allow wanton breakdown of law and order, loss of lives and property like we had experienced, in some instances, in the past, in any part of the country.”
Adejobi said the force remains vigilant against any attempts by hoodlums to hijack the protest.
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