Chibok Girls: Police Debunk Placing Ban on Protests

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, June 3rd, 2014

By Tajudeen Balogun

The Nigeria Police has dispelled statement credited to it that it ordered ban on peaceful assemblies , especially the #Bringourgirlsback protests across the country.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Frank Mba in a release on Tuesday, said instead, the Nigeria Police in the face of current security challenges in the country, “coupled with a recent intelligence report of a likely infiltration and hijack of otherwise innocuous and peaceful protests by some criminal elements having links with insurgents”, the Force authorities have only issued “advisory notice, enjoining citizens to apply caution in the said rallies, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory and its environs.”

Nigeria’s police boss, MD Abubakar

While drawing the attention of the public to the earlier position of the Force on peaceful rallies, which the Police High Command regarded as constitutional and democratic rights of the citizens, Mba pointed out that the police high hierarchy has stressed the need for the organizers of such rallies to ensure that they seek proper advice and guidance from the Force before engaging in any protest exercise so as to avoid any unpleasant circumstances.

The Police therefore called on the general public to see the present position of the Force as a necessary sacrifice for the peace to reign in the country, noting that security is a collective responsibility. In effect, the release stated that citizens are strongly advised to reconsider their positions on the issues of rallies and protests in FCT, until the existing threats and tension are doused by the relevant security agencies.

Meanwhile, the Police authorities have given assurance of its unrelenting resolve to protect the lives and property of the citizens, especially in advancing the course of democracy.