Bauchi State Police Command has urged the members of the general public who want to participate actively in the planned nationwide protest against bad governance to exercise restraint and reconsider their participation in any protest group.
The Command in a statement by its PPRO, SP Ahmed Wakili issued on Saturday stated, “While alerting the public to the sinister motives of certain groups intent on causing chaos, the Command reiterates its position that even peaceful protests might be ill-timed under the current circumstances.
“Therefore, the command will not tolerate any acts of violence, destruction of public infrastructure, private property, or looting of businesses.
“Bauchi State Police Command has noted with concern, the planned mass protests scheduled for August 1, 2024, across the country. The command has been closely monitoring the developments and the varying intentions behind the planned demonstrations.
,”In recent weeks, a spectrum of calls for protests has been observed, ranging from peaceful demonstrations to those advocating for violence, inspired by recent events in Kenya.
“Alarmingly, some individuals have been promoting peaceful protests with underlying violent motives, raising concerns about the sincerity of their intentions.
“The patriotic gesture of some citizens who have decided to withdraw from the protest in the interest of the country, recognizing the hidden agendas and the ignorance of those advocating for violence, cannot be overemphasised.
“It is expedient to nip this threat in the bud following credible intelligence indicating the involvement of foreign mercenaries in the planned protests.
“However, the command recognises the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. In the interest of public safety and order, all groups planning to protest are urged to provide necessary details of their processions to the Commissioner of Police.
“This information should include proposed protest routes and assembly points, expected duration of the protest, names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers and measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers for potential troublemakers.”
According to him, by providing the information, the Police will be able to: deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities, Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise and Minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
The Commissioner of Police, Auwal Musa Mohammed, encouraged all protesters to cooperate with law enforcement, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly.
He also urged residents to go about their lawful activities and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.
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