The FCT Police command in the early hours of Tuesday dispersed protesters demanding that President Muhammadu Buhari should return to Nigeria or resign.
The police said it intervened in order to prevent breakdown of law and order, and disturbance of public peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
It added that some miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements infiltrated the protest being carried out by a group of concerned Nigerians under the auspices of Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement at Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja sothe move was necessary.
The “Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement” carried out their protest on Monday 7thAugust, 2017 at the same venue and were accorded necessary Police presence to safe guard public safety and public peace, and protect their rights to freedom of expression, rights to peaceful Assembly and Association, and right to freedom of movement as provided for in sections 39, 40, and 41 of the 1999 constitution as amended, the police noted in a statement released on Tuesday.
"However, today 8th August, 2017 the same group assembled at the same venue but allowed miscreants, hoodlums and other unruly individuals to infiltrate the protests, who started blocking the major roads adjoining the Unity fountain, obstructing traffic and preventing movements of other innocent citizens from going to their means of livelihood, and thereby exhibiting unruly behaviours and other violent acts very likely to cause the breakdown of law and order and disturbance of public peace.
"The Police personnel intervened at the point that the concerned Nigerians Group lost control of the crowd and prevented miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements from hijacking the protest to cause mayhem and chaos.
"It is pertinent to state here that the FCT Police command is fully aware and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen including “ Our Mumu Dondo group” to assemble and move freely in any part of the Federal Capital Territory, but the command will not allow any protest under any guise to turn violent and jeopardise the prevailing peace, law and order currently being enjoyed in the FCT.
"The command wishes to assure all residents and visitors to the territory of adequate security and protection of lives and property of everyone including those who choose to express their constitutional rights of protest with decorum.
"Consequently, members of the public, parents and guardians, religious/opinion leaders and other interest groups are advised to prevail on their children and wards, followers and adherents not to allow themselves to be used by any group to cause disturbance of public peace and break down of law and order. DSP Anjuguri Manzah Police Public Relations Officer FCT Police Command, Abuja."
Meanwhile least one person was injured in Abuja when policemen fired tear gas canisters at the protesters demanding the return of President Muhammadu Buhari who had been on medical leave in London, the United Kingdom since May 2017.
The injured protester was taken to a clinic at the Federal Secretariat complex, a few kilometres from the scene of the incident.
The coalition members said that they were having their sit-out at the Millennium Park opposite the Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja when the armed policemen fired tear gas canisters to disperse them.
After the police attack, the protesters continued their sit out for about an hour before dispersing.
 |
|
