Ebun Francis
The Police High Command has pleaded with musician Tu Face Idibia and others to shelve their planned protests against the Buhari administration, in the interest of peace and public order.
The commands position was contained in a statement it issued in Abuja on Friday night. The Police high command said they were in possession of ‘credible intelligence’ that some other groups are planning a counter protest or marches between 5 February and 6 February, the days the Tu Face group has also planned to hold protests in some parts of the country.
“If these various planned protests/ demonstrations are held as scheduled, that there may be breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives and property”. the police said in the statement signed by CSP Jimoh Moshood.
To demonstrate they were willing to employ any means necessary to keep the peace, the police said they were prepared “to employ every possible legal means for the maintenance of law and order; and for the protection of lives and property”.
“Consequently, members of the public, parents and guardians, religious/opinion leaders and other interest groups are strongly advised to prevail on their children and wards, followers and adherents not to allow themselves to be used by any group to cause disturbance of public peace and break down of law and order”.
The police statement appears to be in contrast with the earlier position of the Commissioner in Lagos, Fatai Owoseni, who said the police and Tu Face have reached an amicable solution about the protests: that there would be a protest at a designated place, but no street march.