Tag: Abuja protesters

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has denied attacking the October 1,protesters in Abuja, stating that it “only took proactive measures to prevent looting”.

Earlier today, reports said police officers on Tuesday fired teargas at protesters during the “Fearless In October” protest over bad governance in Abuja.

However, in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, FCT police command, SP Josephine Adeh in Abuja on Tuesday, said it was necessary to address the allegation following reports making the rounds that policemen attacked protesters at Utako Market in Abuja earlier Tuesday during the protest.

“The command wishes to categorically debunk the narrative, tagging it completely false and misleading.

Read Also: BREAKING: Tension as police teargas protesters in Abuja

“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.

“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 statement added.

The statement urged the populace to disregard such misleading and mischievous information, adding that the command was committed to ensuring the safety of the populace in the exercise of their civil rights.

 Justice Sylvanus Oriji of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has extended the order restricting participants in the hunger protest to the MKO Abiola Stadium, also known as the National Stadium.

The judge gave the order  following an application to that effect filed by Dr Ogwu Onoja SAN on behalf of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT).

At the resumed hearing, non of the 12 defendants appeared in court and no legal representation.

the defendants in the suit are Omoyele Sowore, Damilare Adenola, Adama Ukpabi, Tosin Harsogba, persons unknown, Inspector General IG of Police, Commissioner of Police.

Others are Director General of the State Security Service, Director General, Nigeria Civil Defense Corps, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air staff, Chief of Naval Staff as 1st to 12th respondents.

However, the FCT Minister through his lawyer, drew the attention of the Judge to a statement issued by one Damilare Adenola where she threatened that the nationwide protests may be extended beyond the initial 10 days.

Onoja SAN argued that, since they were not in court and no one knows their next plan of action;

” It would be in order to extend the order to ensure that peace of the FCT was not unjustly disrupted.”

In a brief ruling, the judge granted the request and affirmed that the order of July 31 remained valid and in force.

Oriji further ordered that the defendants should be served with the hearing notice before the next adjourned date.

He subsequently adjourned until Aug. 22 for a hearing of the motion on notice.

In his ruling on July 31, Justice Oriji, recognised the rights of the protesters to embark on the protest, however restricted them to the Stadium given the genuine fears expressed by the minister.

READ ALSO: Security operatives disperse Abuja protesters, arrest three

“In the light of the above, the court considers it appropriate and expedient to grant an order under the omnibus or general prayer to ensure that the rights of the protesters are guaranteed.

He added and that the protest does not negatively or adversely affect the rights of other citizens to move about and to ensure that that properties and other public facilities are not destroyed”, the judge held.

He therefore ordered the 1st to 5th respondents to “use the Moshood Abiola Stadium” only for the protest.

The court in addition ordered the service of processes in the suit as well as the confinement order on the respondents by placing same on the newspapers.

(NAN)

Security operatives, after several attempts, have dispersed protesters in the Karu area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).  

The protesters were just assembling when security agents went after them and arrested three.

An eyewitness, Ibrahim Sani who spoke to our correspondent, said the police had to fire teargas to calm the situation before arrests were made.  

He said: “I was shocked when I saw some people gathering at Karu. I thought the gathering was supposed to be in town. The police came and dispersed the protesters with teargas. They arrested about three people that I saw”.

Security operatives are all over the nation’s capital monitoring the situation to forestall breakdown of law and other.

Read Also: BREAKING: Police teargas Abuja protesters over agitation

There had been an increased vehicular movement on day five of the nationwide protests in FCT.

But government offices are still deserted as petty traders wait with bated breath for patronage.

The Federal secretariat in Abuja is open but most officials of Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs) are few in the offices.

This may not be unconnected with the fear that protesters may return and clash with security operatives.

Security operatives also fired teargas at protesters at the Moshood Abiola Stadium over agitation to move to town.    

Details shortly…