The FCT Police Command has reacted to the news making the rounds and the press statement by the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) about the operatives of the command restriction of members of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions, NASU, and Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, SSANU, from leaving the protest ground and also the deployment of armoured vehicles, assault dogs, and police personnel to break up the peaceful protest using excessive force at Unity Fountain in Abuja yesterday, July 18, 2024.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of FCT , CP Bennett Igweh in a release signed by the FCT PPRO SP Josephine Adeh stated that it clearly recognised and understand the rights of the citizens to freedom of association and expression and wouldn’t prevent citizens from exercising such rights.
The command maintained that, it didn’t deploy armoured vehicles, assault dogs, or personnel to use excessive force to prevent protesters from exercising their rights.
The statement read”The command wishes to state that there was an understanding and agreement between the associations and itself that the protest should be held within the unity fountain, where representatives of each association will address the press and subsequently take their complaints on behalf of others to the appropriate authorities without entering the streets. The agreement was reached to prevent potential hijacking of the protest by some unscrupulous elements, hence the restriction”
CP Benneth C. Igweh reaffirmed that the command is committed to upholding the right to peaceful assembly while prioritising the safety of the general public. He also noted that the command appreciates the cooperation of the community and will continue to work diligently to maintain a safe environment for all.
