Nigerian Police Pleads With 2face To Cancel Protest, But Agrees To Provide Security If He Doesn’t

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has called musician Innocent Idibia (aka 2Baba) and the Enough is Enough Nigeria  group to shelve their planned protests against government at all levels, in the interest of peace and public order.

In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday night, the police said they were in possession of ‘credible intelligence’ that some other groups are planning a counter protest or marches between February 5th and February 6th, and the 2Baba group had scheduled their protests for February 6th.

“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 the force spokesperson, CSP Jimoh Moshood.

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 statement added.

See the full statement below:

The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media on the planned protests slated for 5th and 6th February, 2017 in Lagos and other States by different groups, one to be led by the popular musician INNOCENT IDIBIA aka (2Baba) and other opposing groups.

Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned with the security implications with regard to the planned protest/demonstrations, and as the lead security Agency in the country, is fully aware and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen (including 2baba) and his group) to assemble and move freely in any part of the country.

In this regard, the Force is also cognizant of its constitutional responsibilities of taking any proactive/ preventive security measures:-

* In the interest of public safety, public order, public morality or public health.
* For the purposes of protecting lives and property, as well as the constitutional rights and freedom of other citizens.

The Nigeria Police Force is currently in possession of credible intelligence reports that other interest groups are equally planning to hold a counter protest/marches on the same days at the same places/cities as the Tu Face Group. 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.

To this end, the Nigeria Police Force deems it imperative to issue this press release:-

* That Innocent Idibia (a.k.a 2Baba) and his group are hereby advised strongly to shelve their planned peaceful protest/demonstration in the interest of peace and security.
* That the other opposing groups are equally advised strongly to shelve its planned counter protest/demonstration in the interest of peace and security.
* That the Nigeria Police Force is 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 Lagos state police commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, has however taken back its decision to prevent the February 6th protest that is slated to hold at the National Stadium, Lagos.

After a meeting with the organizers of the rally, the Commissioner told newsmen he has agreed to provide security for the protest. Fatai Owoseni said:

“We had a meeting with the protesters and we explained to them why we advised against the protest. A pro-government group wants to protest that same day and we don’t want a situation where there would be friction.

We also don’t want hooligans to hijack the process and injure the protesters. But After the discussions we agreed to let the protests go on while we will just be always a step away. If anything goes wrong, we would swoop in immediately