Nigeria’s security agencies effectively protected the lives and property of residents in Abuja during the demonstrations organised by members of the Free Nnamdi Kanu Now movement in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The FCT Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Dr Olusola Odumosu, disclosed that the Corps successfully prevented any acts of destruction, vandalism, or theft of public and private property under the guise of protest.
Business activities were not disrupted, as residents went about their normal routines while government offices remained open. Heightened security measures were observed across central Abuja as demonstrators gathered to demand the release of the detained secessionist leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, the Corps has massively deployed officers and men to protect all CNAI as well as ensure the protection of residents across the FCT before, during and after the protest.
“We are prepared as always to ensure there are no incidents of destruction of properties or threats to Infrastructure and the peace in the territory.
“The deployed officers and men were drawn from specialised units, including Area Commands and Divisions, and have been properly briefed on the assignment as well as precautions to adhere to during the rally,” he said.
Odumosu said personnel had been warned not to shoot, harass or intimidate any law-abiding citizen, but criminals and vandals trying to hijack the situation will not be condoned.
He further urged the deployed men to be civil by adopting the non-kinetic approach while carrying out the mandates of the corps.
The commandant, however, warned those with the intention of hijacking or disrupting the proposed peaceful protest to desist as anyone caught with criminal intents will be arrested and dealt with according to the extant laws.
He urged all law abiding citizens to go about their normal activities as deployment has been made to strategic locations and identified flash points to maintain peace and order.
Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been standing trial over charges of instigating public disturbances leading to violence in parts of Nigeria’s Southeast region.