Security has been beefed up in the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) as the planned hunger protest commences today.
This comes just as state governors and the federal government have appealed to the protesters to conduct themselves peacefully.
In Bauchi, the state police commissioner, Auwal Mohammed, said the command had deployed personnel to possible flashpoints to avert the breakdown of law and order.
LEADERSHIP reports that the command had asked protest organisers to supply the police with their detailed biodata, including meeting points and movement routes.
The commissioner disclosed this in a statement by the spokesperson of the Command, SP Ahmed Wakil, and made available to reporters in Bauchi.
On its part, the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Yobe State, Adamu Idris Zakari, has declared the corps’ readiness to protect the life and property of the citizens during the nationwide protest.
Zakari, who said this in a press briefing at his office in Damaturu, Yobe State capital, urged officers and men to conduct themselves professionally while discharging their duties.
The Kebbi State Police Command has taken proactive measures against the anticipated vandalisation, looting, and other criminal activities during the protest by hoodlums.
While addressing the personnel deployed at strategies local government areas, the state Commissioner of Police, Bello M Sani, told journalists that over 5,000 officers had been dispatched to protect the life and property of the people in the state.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Katsina State also yesterday issued a stern warning to criminals intending to hijack the upcoming protest, saying any attempt to cause chaos or destruction will be met with decisive action.
In a press briefing on Wednesday, NSCDC Katsina Commandant Jamilu A. Indabawa assured the public that the command was fully prepared to ensure a peaceful and secure environment for the protest, and will not tolerate any criminal activity.
Shun Protest, FG tells Nigerians
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has urged Nigerians to shun the proposed nationwide protests and instead pursue peace, dialogue, and collaboration in addressing the country’s challenges.
The SGF made this statement during a press conference with journalists and media executives at the Radio House in Abuja, yesterday.
He acknowledged the right to protest but expressed concerns about the planned protests being hijacked “by bandits, insurgents, and other criminals.
“We, therefore, appeal to Nigerians of whatever persuasion, belief, demography, gender, and status to shun calls for protests against hunger by prioritising peace and progress. For the avoidance of doubt, the government of President Tinubu recognises the right to peaceful protest, but circumspection and vigilance should be our watchwords,” Akume said
I Didn’t Approve Use of Eagle Square – Wike
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has said that he did not approve of the use of Eagle Square for any event.
Wike made this statement while responding to questions from journalists after inspecting an ongoing road project connecting two communities in Abaji on Wednesday.
He said his administration did not want to take anything for granted and that was why it was making sure that security was tight in the nation’s capital.
“I never approved the use of Eagle Square for anybody, which likely informed the security measures to ensure all public areas are well protected. We will not allow hoodlums to take advantage and begin to vandalise our infrastructure,” he said.
For First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, those planning a nationwide strike should reconsider their stance due to potential harm to vulnerable Nigerians.
Speaking to journalists at the State House in Abuja following a meeting with wives of state governors and coordinators of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), Mrs. Tinubu expressed concern over the strike’s possible impact on small businesses and petty traders.
Ex-militants, others pull out
Hundreds of ex-agitators in the Niger Delta have rescinded their initial decision to partake in the proposed hardship protest, saying promoters of the event have unconstitutional motives.
The ex-agitators, who rose from an emergency meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday, resolved to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
They insisted that with more time, the President would resolve all the problems afflicting the country.
The position to abstain from any form of protest was endorsed by ex-militant leaders in Niger Delta region, national leaders of Concerned Niger Delta Ex-Agitators, national leaders Niger Delta Movement for Good Governance, ex-freedom fighters of the Niger Delta region, Coalition of Niger Delta Students and Coalition of Aggrieved Niger Delta Youths.
Gov Yusuf Tells Kano Protesters To Submit Demands
Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has called on the organisers to suspend the demonstrations and submit their demands to him for possible action.
While delivering an address at a meeting with traditional rulers and the Kano business community at Government House on Wednesday, Governor Yusuf promised that when the demands are submitted to him, he will personally convey them to President Bola Tinubu.
APC, LP Plan to cause unrest in Enugu – PDP
The Enugu State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, says it has uncovered sinister plots by the leaderships of the Enugu State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the Labour Party, LP, to hide behind the proposed nationwide action to sponsor instability in the state.
The party, in a statement by its state chairman, Augustine Nnamani, on Wednesday, called on the federal government and security agencies to hold the leaderships of the two parties in the state responsible for any breach of peace “in the name of protest” in the state following their electoral losses in 2023.
“Their plot is to create instability and the impression that Governor Mbah is sponsoring protests against President Bola Tinubu’s administration,” he said.
Court Restricts Protesters To Abuja Stadium
A High Court of the Federal Capital Territory restricted participants in the August 1 hunger protest against the federal government to the National Stadium.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji issued the order on Wednesday in Abuja while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.
Defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, Commissioner of Police, Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.
In the exparte application argued by Chief Ogwu James Onoja, SAN, the FCT Minister applied for an order of interim injunction restraining the five leaders of the protesting groups from gathering or parading themselves along any roadway, streets, offices, and public premises within the FCT between August 1 and August 10 or any other day thereafter, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Mercenaries Involved – Fubara
Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has revealed that mercenaries and thugs have been hired from outside, in the guise of protest, to destroy valuable infrastructure assets in the state.
He maintained that this is even though residents of the state had already resolved not to participate in the planned 10 days of nationwide protest scheduled to begin today.
Fubara spoke yesterday when he addressed representatives of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), stakeholders of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Rivers State ethnic and youth groups, and Port Harcourt Motor Spare Parts Dealers Union, Ikoku Branch, among others at the Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt.
Protests are not solutions to nation’s challenges – Bishops
Catholic Bishops of the Owerri Ecclesiastical Province have explained that while peaceful protests are a democratic right, they do not solve Nigeria’s complex problems.
The Bishops, who voiced their concerns about the upcoming nationwide youth protest, warned that a prolonged protest could severely impact the already fragile economy.
In a communiqué issued after their meeting held at the Sacred Heart Pastoral/Retreat Centre in Orlu from July 30-31, the bishops highlighted the limitations of protests in addressing Nigeria’s deep-seated issues.
The communiqué, signed by the president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and Archbishop of Owerri Archdiocese, Most Rev. Lucius Ugorji, and Most Rev. Augustine N. Echema, Bishop of Aba, called for dialogue and constructive engagement between the government and the protesters to find lasting solutions to the nation’s challenges.
Court Restricts Protester To Ilorin Metropolitan Square
A Kwara State Court has ordered organisers of the August 1, 2024 protest in Kwara State to restrict themselves to the Metropolitan Square in Ilorin, the state capital.
Granting an ex parte order on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, the court agreed with the attorney general of the state and commissioner for Justice, Barr. Ibrahim Sulyman, that if protesters do as they wish, such a protest could degenerate into violence.
Police deactivate ‘IED’ in Lagos
The police command in Lagos says it has deactivated an improvised explosive device (IED) from exploding in the Ikeja area of the state on Wednesday.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the police spokesperson in Lagos, said the IED, which was contained inside a bag, was dropped by the roadside near the federal operations unit (FOU), Zone A of the Nigeria Customs along Mobolaji Bank Anthony Way in Ikeja.
Hundeyin said an officer on patrol identified the man who dropped the package, adding that the suspect came down from an unregistered Toyota Corolla vehicle.
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