The Nigeria Police Force
has strongly warned all those planning to disrupt the peace on 30th
May 2017 to be ready to face the consequences of their action.
This is the unedited
statement from the Force Headquarters today.
The attention of the
Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media on the planned
protests and order of market closure in the South Eastern states on the 30th
May, 2017 by the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the Movement for the
Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafra
Independence Movement (BIM) and other like groups.
The Nigeria Police Force
is deeply concerned with the security implications with regards to the renewed
hostilities and subversive propagandas aimed at undermining law and order in
some States of the Federation by these groups, their associates, sponsors, apologists
and sympathizers.
Consequently, the
Commissioners of Police in the affected States and their supervising Assistant
Inspectors General of Police, have been directed by the Inspector General of
Police to be strict, polite, civil and firm in dealing with the situation and
put all the Police Personnel and Police Anti-Riot equipments on red alert to
deal decisively in accordance with the law with any eventuality from these
groups, that can disrupt commercial activities, vehicular movements and safety
of lives and properties in some States of the Federation considered to be
flash/vulnerable points which have witnessed the unfortunate disturbance of
public peace by these groups in the recent past.
The Force sees the
activities of these groups as not only unlawful but highly provocative and
capable of causing breach of the peace currently being enjoyed in the South
East States and other States of the Federation.
The planned protests and
orders of Market closure and illegal unilateral self imposed restrictions of
vehicular movements by these groups in the affected States should be
disregarded by all well meaning Nigerians. The Nigeria Police Force, hereby
advised the members of the public to go about their lawful duties and other
responsibilities without any fear or apprehension as adequate security
arrangements have been put in place for the safety of every Nigerian throughout
the Country by Nigeria Police Force and other Security agencies.
The Nigeria Police Force
is not unaware of the rights of every Nigerian to freedom of expression,
peaceful assembly and association and freedom of movement, as essentials of
democracy provided by the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
as amended particularly sections 38, 39, 40 and 41. However, these rights must
be observed with decorum, in good faith and without violating the rights of
other millions of Nigerians to free movements and access to public/private
facilities and their means of livelihood on daily basis.
The Nigeria Police while
observing the rights of all Nigerians as stated above is equally conscious of
the fact that these rights are not absolute as section 45 of the same
Constitution provide for derogations to these rights. Consequently, the Police
will resist the action(s) of any person or group of persons for whatever course
that is against the interest of public defence, public safety, public order,
public morality and a threat to the rights and freedom of other Nigerians.
The Force will continue to
Police the Country based on international core values and best practices and
operate within the Principles of Democratic Policing but will not succumb and
tolerate criminal activities of any group(s) under any guise to cause
disturbance of public peace and unleash mayhem on innocent Nigerians anywhere
in the country.
As a result, the Police
Force is hereby calling on the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the
Biafran Independence Movement (BIM), the Movement for the Actualization of the
Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) to consider the consequences of their
actions and activities and without delay and call themselves to order in the
interest of National Security, and safety of lives and properties of every
Nigerian across the Nation as the full weight of the law will be made to bear
on violators of the laws.
The Nigeria Police Force
will not hesitate to deal decisively with any group(s) and their sponsors that
attempt to cause disturbance of the peace or carry out any unlawful
demonstration, unlawful assembly/procession or gathering and public
disobedience that can jeopardise law and order and harmonious co-existence
within and amongst Nigerians throughout the country.
The fact that freedom of
expression as one of the dictates of democracy is being observed by the Police,
should not be misconstrued as liberty by any group(s) for sectional or group
interest to violate the laws and cause mayhem, confusion and apprehension in
the minds of more than about one hundred and seventy Millions Nigerians.
The Force will continue to
carry out its Constitutional duties and other statutory responsibilities in
accordance with the law of the land and for the utmost protection of lives and
properties of all Nigerians across the Country.
Tags
Politics