The Bayelsa State Police Command has vowed to deploy massive police assets to ensure that the planned nationwide protest by the NLC scheduled for February 27 and 28 is not hijacked by miscreants in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Idu, stated this in a statement titled, ‘CP deploys police personnel and assets across the state’, issued by the spokesperson for the command, Musa Mohammed, on Monday.
It said, “Ahead of the planned protest scheduled to be held on 27th and 28th February 2024, by the Nigeria Labour Congress alongside other unions, in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun PhD, NPM, the Commissioner of Police, Bayelsa State Command, CP Alonyenu Francis Idu, has ordered massive deployment of police assets across the state to ensure watertight security and safety in the state.
“The deployment is to ensure that the protest is not hijacked by hoodlums. The CP during an interaction with the Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and DPOs, directed them to place measures to forestall any breakdown of law and order.
“As part of the measures to ensure that the protest is hitch-free, the CP had a stakeholder meeting with the leaders of NLC and TUC on the 26th February 2024 and discuss measures to achieve a peaceful protest.”
Idu said it was the right of citizens to protest peacefully just as the police had the obligation to protect lives and property “by regulation and social harmony.”
He warned that “anyone who tries to turn the protest from its peaceful intent to violence would be restrained and arraigned before the court for prosecution.”
The police commissioner assured all residents to go about their lawful duties without fear or harassment as law enforcement machinery was in place to guarantee social harmony and stability in the state.
The statement also advised members of the public to report any untoward occurrence in their areas to the nearest police station or call the command control numbers on 07034578206/ 09167322691.