The Plateau Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has announced that anyone seen carrying a weapon during the upcoming nationwide demonstration will be treated as a criminal.
Alexander Barunde, the state’s NSCDC commandant, conveyed this message to the officers and personnel of the command in Jos on Wednesday, July 31.
Barunde emphasised that while citizens have the right to protest government policies, he urged the organizers to prevent troublemakers from causing chaos in society.
He also issued a warning that individuals using the protest as an opportunity to steal or damage national or private property will face consequences.
He said: ”I’m calling on the organisers of the planned protest not to create a restive situation or give room for mischief makers to unleash anarchy on the society.
”It must be violence-free and the protesters must eschew every negative tendency to create anarchy; there is room for dialogue with government over every concern.
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”Any protester wielding a weapon of any kind will be treated as a criminal element with a different motive; such a person will be arrested and decisively dealt with in accordance with the law.
”Every law-abiding and patriotic citizen of Plateau should have the interest of the state in dealing with the protest and the uncertainties associated with it,” he said.
Barunde, however, charged officers and men of the corps to respect the rule of law, adhere to ethical standards and observe human dignity while engaging the protesters