UPDATE On Protest Ban: Mbu says is security risk; Revokes tainted permit; Deploys DPOs
Adetokunbo Fakeye with agency report
The Commissioner of Police in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, Joseph Mbu, on Monday said protests demanding the rescue of over 250 girls kidnapped in Chibok, Borno State, pose a serious security threat.
Mr. Mbu, while announcing the ban at a press conference said, “Protests on the Chibok girls are hereby banned with immediate effect.”
According to him, information at his disposal indicates that “dangerous elements” are about to hijack the protest, citing the emergence of rival group, “Release Our Girls”, that attacked the members of the Abuja #BringBackOurGirls campaign, breaking bottles on their heads, and destroying cameras of journalists.
“Information reaching us is that too soon, dangerous elements will join groups under the guise of protest and detonate explosives aimed at embarrassing the government.
“As the FCT police boss, I cannot fold my hands and watch this lawlessness,
a situation where the `Fountain of Unity’, venue of gathering for the protest, was being turned into a place for “cooking and selling” was embarrassing.” He said and added that, many diplomats live in that area.
The former River State Police Commissioner, who had a running battle with the state governor while holding sway there, called on residents of Abuja to encourage the security agencies in the war against terrorism and criminality by appreciating the sacrifices they had made.
Asked whether the ban would not violate the freedom of expression and assembly, he said the protests were becoming a nuisance.
“People have been protesting over a month now…it is the issue of terrorism, it is not solved in one day.
“Then, when you continue to do it persistently, it becomes nuisance to the government,’’ he said.
The police chief also announced the revocation of permits earlier issued for tinted glass vehicles in the territory.
“There is a period when permits were granted but the recent security challenges have made the police authority to revisit the issue and have resolved to revoke same.
“The permits issued so far remain revoked; you are hearing this from my mouth.
“The only authority to grant tinted glass permit is the Inspector-General of Police himself under his hand and signature,” he said.
The commissioner has also redeployed all Divisional Police Officers, DPOs, in Abuja and directed them to hand over to the next senior police officers in their respective divisions.
The spokesperson for FCT police command, Altine Daniel, told journalists that the decision was taken after the commissioner met with the DPOs on Monday.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed the redeployment of all Divisional Police Officers; they have to hand over to the next senior person in the various divisions.
“The commissioner of police was not satisfied with the conduct of the Divisional Police Officers,’’ she said.
