Nigeria Police Force Headquarters has denied banning peaceful rallies or assemblies in any part of the country, explaining that it only issued an advisory notice.
Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba, made the clarification in a press statement issued on Tuesday.
Mba said the advisory notice that was misinterpreted as proscription, was issued because of the of the current security challenges in the country, revealing that a recent intelligence report points to a “likely infiltration and hijack of otherwise innocuous and peaceful protests by some criminal elements having links with insurgents”.
“The Police only issued advisory notice, enjoining citizens to apply caution in the said rallies, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs,” Mba said.
He reminded Nigerians that the Police holds in high regard, the rights of Nigerians to peaceful rallies and assemblies, referring to the emphasis of the Inspector-General of Police, M D. Abubakar, CFR, NPM, mni, psc, on the need for organisers of such rallies to ensure that they seek proper advice and guidance from the Police before engaging in any such exercise to avoid any unpleasant circumstances.
“The IGP calls on the general public to see the present position of the Force as a necessary sacrifice for the peace our nation needs, as security is a collective responsibility,” Mba said.
“Consequently, citizens are strongly advised to reconsider their positions on the issues of rallies and protests in FCT until the existing threats are appropriately neutralized and removed from our midst by relevant security agencies. Meanwhile, the IGP reassures citizens of the commitment of the Force to the protection of lives and property and advancing the course of democracy in Nigeria.”
