In anticipation of an upcoming nationwide protest, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has deployed a total of 4,200 police officers across Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to a statement released on Friday by the Command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, the heavy deployment is aimed at ensuring public safety, protecting the protesters, and preventing the demonstration from being hijacked by non-state actors.
Adeh further revealed that the police will be collaborating with other security agencies to conduct raids on identified “black spots,” unfinished buildings, and shanties within the FCT. Additionally, the command has announced the deployment of explosive ordnance device experts at various strategic locations.
The statement also mentioned that the police will be carrying out stop-and-search operations as part of their efforts to maintain law and order during the protest. This comes as a civil society group, the Take It Back movement, has formally requested the use of the iconic Eagle Square in Abuja as the convergence point for the planned “EndBadGovernance” demonstration, scheduled to take place from August 1st to August 10th, 2024.
The group has appealed to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to grant them access to the public space and ensure the provision of essential amenities, such as 24-hour power supply, toilet facilities, and water, to cater to the needs of the protesters.
As the organizers await the FCT administration’s response, the upcoming nationwide protest is expected to draw significant attention and scrutiny, with the police taking measures to maintain public order and security during the event.