Police Deny Attack On Protesters in Abuja, Says Narrative ‘False’
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja has denied allegations of attacking October 1 protesters in Abuja, stating that it “only took proactive measures to prevent looting.”
By: AbdulWasiu Akintunde, Olufemi Orunsola
The Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Abuja has denied allegations of attacking the October 1 protesters in Abuja, stating that it “only took proactive measures to prevent looting.”
This is coming following viral videos circulating on social media, which show police officers firing teargas at a group of about 50 peaceful protesters near Utako Market on Tuesday.
However, OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA OTN News reports that the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, in a statement issued claimed that these videos misrepresent the actual events.
“The command wishes to categorically debunk the narrative, tagging it completely false and misleading.
According to him, "Acting on intelligence, the operatives only took measures to forestall some miscreants who were taking advantage of the protest to loot shops in the market and as a result, extended focus to them."
OTN News also reports that #fearlessinoctober protests us coming as a follow up to #endbadgovernance #endhunger protests earlier staged across the country in the month of August 2024 when, according to Amnesty International, security forces in Nigeria were believed to have killed at least 21 protesters during the nationwide crackdown.
SP Adeh added that the Police’s responsibility of safeguarding lives and property is of uttermost importance and his men could not watch criminal elements attack protesters.
“As a responsible agency, we could not stand by and allow traders to be robbed of their hard-earned money and belongings without intervening.”
The police command has therefore urged the public to disregard the misleading and mischievous information, emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding the public while ensuring they exercise their civil rights safely.
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