Ahead of the proposed nationwide protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, the Nigeria Police Force has placed its operatives on red alert across the country.
The Police Force has also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the rights and freedom of protesters are protected.
OsunDailyNG reports that NLC had scheduled February 27 and 28 for a nationwide protest over the current high level of economic hardship in the country.
A few hours before the planned protest, the Nigeria Police Force, in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said officers have been placed on red alert across the country to ensure the safety of the protesters.
The statement said the force remains vigilant against any attempts by hoodlums to hijack the protest, stressing that anyone “who might want to leverage on the nationwide protests to create brouhaha” in the country would be apprehended.
Parts of the statement read, “All Commissioners of Police and their respective supervising officers have been briefed and instructed to coordinate the officers on ground in ensuring the safety and security of all participants if the protests hold as planned.
“Emphatically, the Force is fully prepared to respond swiftly and decisively to any unlawful activities or acts of violence that may threaten peace, public safety, and security in the event of such.
“It is vital to state that the Police has spread its tentacles nationwide to curb any attempt by some individuals who might want to leverage on the nationwide protests, to create brouhaha, and such will be met with an approved legal and proportional force as the Police will not allow wanton breakdown of law and order, loss of lives and property like we had experienced, in some instances, in the past, in any part of the country.”
