The Nigeria Police High Command in Abuja moved swiftly, Monday, to ensure there is no breakdown of law and order on Tuesday during the 64th independence celebrations just as the masterminds of the nationwide protests against hunger insisted there would be no going back on the matter.
Consequently, and in tandem with the order by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for water-tight security across the country, state commands have embarked on massive security web in their jurisdictions.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had, in a press statement on Monday, revealed that the IGP had ordered the deployment of adequate human and tactical resources to enable a maximum level of security for the independence celebration on Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
The statement read in part: “The Police, in synergy with other security agencies, will fortify various designated event venues and the major highways across the country, to forestall any threats to lives and property and the celebration.
“Additionally, the IGP has directed all personnel deployed for various operations during the celebrations to be courteous and firm in their engagements with members of the public.”
The IGP, Adejobi continued, reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to safeguarding the nation’s security, ensuring peaceful coexistence, and upholding the rule of law.
“We are dedicated to serving our communities with integrity, compassion, and professionalism,” he said.
“As we move forward, let us rekindle our sense of national pride, foster unity, and work together towards a brighter future for all Nigerians.
“As we commemorate our journey to freedom and self-governance, let us remember our responsibilities to promote peace and respect for the rule of law.”
In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it would deploy adequate personnel and equipment throughout the nation’s capital ahead of the celebration or any matter arising.
In a statement she posted on X on Monday, the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the security web would involve personnel from the Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.
“The FCT Police Command, in anticipation of the upcoming October 1st Independence Day celebration, has strategically deployed adequate personnel and equipment throughout the FCT,” Adeh continued in the statement.
“These proactive deployments aim to ensure that residents of the FCT enjoy a hitch-free Independence Day celebration. The deployment will include Explosive Ordinance Disposal (EOD) personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.
“Traffic diversions will be implemented in areas expected to experience large crowds, including Central Area and Eagle Square. While celebrating Independence Day, residents of the FCT are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to the FCT Police emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653, PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.”
A report by Channels Television indicated that some state commands had commenced deployment of operatives as early as Sunday to prevent possible breakdown of law and order.
For instance, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Mr. Wasiu Abiodun, disclosed that the Command had deployed personnel and security assets.
And the television station reported that gun-wielding security operatives were seen, stationed in some of the major places, including popular markets and road junctions on Sunday.
Wasiu Abiodun said: “The Niger State Police Command shall deploy an adequate number of personnel and operational assets for public safety and orderliness. The state Commissioner of Police, Shawulu Danmamman, directed Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders and DPOs to ensure that police visibility was enhanced in their various areas to avert any act of breach of public peace.
“The Command had also engaged labour leaders, trades unions, youth and students leaders in the state and other critical stakeholders towards ensuring and sustaining the relative peace that is being enjoyed for economic growth and development of the state.”
The situation is the same in Kano where the State Police Command also confirmed the deployment of personnel to strategic positions.
While the Kaduna State Police Command announced that it has taken proactive measures to prevent potential violence during the planned protest in the state, the Kogi State Commissioner of Police, Mr Bethrand Onuoha, urged the organisers of the protest to reconsider their plan and give government more time to fix the nation’s economy.
Onuoha stated this on Saturday while engaging with members of the Take It Back Movement, Kogi State chapter, at the command’s headquarters in Lokoja.
A statement on Sunday by read in part, “The CP advised the group to reconsider their planned protest and give government more time to fix the economy of our dear nation,” the PPRO, Kogi Command, Mr. William Aya, said in a press statement.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government reminded the protest organisers that the court directive restricting protests to two designated venues in Lagos still stands.
Mr. Lawal Pedro, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and the state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, told journalists on Sunday that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s advice to the Commissioner of Police on the need to maintain public safety subsists.