The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Adamu, has ordered 24-hour police surveillance in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and its environs.
This follows the violent protest by members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria on Tuesday at the National Assembly in Abuja, which led to the assault and injury to police personnel as well as damage of properties.
The IGP has asked Commissioners of Police and their supervisory Assistant Inspector General of Police to be alert and ensure maximum security in their respective Areas of Responsibility (AOR) to avert any breach of public safety and security.
In a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, the IGP said that the Force is not against Citizens expressing their grouse against the State, but stressed that such ventilation must be done through legitimate and acceptable processes and not by taking the laws into their own hands.
The statement warned the citizens not to test the collective will of the People and the State by engaging in lawless acts likely to cause the breach of peace.
It added that the IGP has as well ordered a speedy investigation into the incident as well as the prosecution of all the suspects involved that have been arrested.
“While noting that the Force is not against Citizens expressing their grouse against the State, the IGP stressed that such ventilations must be done through legitimate and acceptable processes and not by taking the laws into their own hands,” Mba added in a statement.
“He therefore warned that citizens should not test the collective will of the People and the State by engaging in lawless acts likely to cause the breach of the peace.
“The IGP reiterated his displeasure with the unwarranted and unjustifiable attack on, and injury to nine (9) Police Officers by members of the El-Zakzakky Group and commended the restraint, maturity and professionalism displayed by Police personnel in containing the protest.”
He also directed the AIG in charge of Police Medical Department to ensure that proper and prompt medical attention is given to the injured officers and wished the victims quick recovery.
It would be recalled that El-Zakzaky was arrested after the Shi’ites clashed with a convoy of the chief of army staff in Kaduna state in 2015.
There have been court orders granting him bail but the government insisted on detaining him, thereby, agitating his followers.