The Inspector-General of Police,
Mohammed Abubakar, on Tuesday, over-ruled the
ban placed on the #Bringbackourgirls protests by
the FCT Commissioner of Police, Joseph Mbu,
barely 24 hours after the directive.
The IG said that the Force has not issued any
order banning peaceful assemblies or protests
anywhere in Nigeria, adding that it only issued
advisory notice enjoining citizens to apply caution
during their rallies, particularly in the Federal
Capital Territory and its environs.
This he said, was against the backdrop 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.”
Mbu, had on Monday stated that the trend of the
protest in the FCT was posing a serious security
threat, adding that shortly after the
#Bringbackourgirls group protested on April 28,
another group #Releaseourgirls emerged.
He said,”Accordingly, protests on the Chibok girls
are hereby banned with immediate effect. As the
FCT police boss, I cannot fold my hands and
watch this lawlessness (protests). Information
reaching us is that too soon, dangerous element
will join groups under the guise of protest and
detonate explosives aimed at embarrassing the
government.”
But the IG, who spoke through the Force Public
Relations Officer, Frank Mba, reminded citizens of
the earlier position of the Force on peaceful rallies,
which he said the Police High Command regarded
as the constitutional and democratic rights of
Nigerians.
He stressed the need for the organizers of rallies
to ensure that they seek proper advice and
guidance from the Police before engaging in such
exercise so as to avoid any unpleasant
circumstances.
Abubakar said, “The Police High Command wishes
to inform the general public that the Force has not
issued any order banning peaceful assemblies/
protests anywhere in Nigeria.
“It notes however that against the backdrop 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 Police only
issued advisory notice, enjoining citizens to apply
caution in the said rallies, particularly in the
Federal Capital Territory and its environs.”
The IG called on the general public to see the
present position of the Force as a necessary
sacrifice for the peace the nation needs, as
security is a collective responsibility.
He said, “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.
Abubakar reassured citizens of the commitment of
the Force to the protection of lives and property
and advancing the course of democracy in the
country.
When contacted for her reaction, the Coordinator
of the #Bringbackourgirls coalition, and former
Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, said her
group had instituted a suit against the police in
court, adding that she would not speak further
until the issue is decided by the judiciary.
Meanwhile, only a handful of the coalition
members showed up at the Unity Fountain,
Maitama, venue of the sit-in protests by the BBOG
on Tuesday.
Our correspondent observed that the usually
boisterous crowd that participated in the group’s
activities were largely absent probably on account
of Mbu’s order banning the protest.
Checks revealed that none of the members of the
rival group, #Releaseourgirls were at the Unity
Fountain, which they dominated for the better part
of last week, singing, dancing and generally
chanting pro-government songs.
The group was believed to be sponsored by
unidentified government agents, who brought
them to the park daily in hired buses.
But for the 2-1 loss to USA in their last trial match, the Super
Eagles would have had a 10-match unbeaten run into their first match at
the Brazil 2014 World Cup. Prior to the game with the USA, Nigeria last
lost a match on June 23 last year in the Confederation Cup duel with
Spain.
