The FCT Police Command said it did a tedious work while trying to rescue Charles Oputa aka Charlie-boy and other members of the Concerned Citizens Group from being lynched by an angry mob who attacked them during their mobilisation campaign at Wuse market on Tuesday.
The police said a DPO and several other policemen were injured during the rescue operation.
The police said even though the protesters have police protection at the Unity Fountain where they have been carrying out their sit-out, they didn’t inform the police that they were going to Wuse Market where the mob attacked them.
According to Police Public Relations Officer DSP Anjuguri J. Manzah, prior to the unfortunate incident, the group assembled at Unity Fountain and addressed the press where massive security was provided by police operatives.
However, the group left Unity Fountain and headed to the busy Wuse Market in a bid to mobilise support; this the police was not notified.
While at Wuse Market, the group was attacked by a mob and in response to a distress call the Police moved in and rescued Charly Boy and his co-travellers, Manzah noted.
The Police was also able to prevent the angry mob from burning a Prado jeep and a BMW car belonging to Charlie boy and his members.
The vehicles which were towed by the Police to Wuse Division were later released to Charlie boy and his team. In the process of protecting and securing Charlie boy and his group members from the hands of the mob, many policemen were injured including the Divisional Police Officer Utako, CSP Jimoh Gbenle.
The Command has since restored normalcy to Wuse Market and all other parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). We urge all law abiding citizens to continue to partner with the Nigeria Police Force to ensure peace and tranquillity reign in FCT.
Meanwhile, the Command has deployed uniform and plain-cloth policemen in all flash points to forestall any breach of the peace.
Protesters are advised to always liaise with the Police so that the Police can provide them necessary security and proffer necessary advice.
