Police prepare to crush pro-subsidy protests.
The Nigeria Police Force has launched a massive plan to combat protests and riots that may occur in reaction to the Federal Government’s removal of subsidy on petroleum products.
During the week that the plan includes the deployment of anti-riot policemen to sensitive commands, the procurement of riot gear and the re-evaluation of the level of preparedness of the police.
The Force Headquarters, Abuja, put all the state commands on high alert following the Nigeria Labour Congress’ recent warning that Nigerians should get ready for mass action.
On Tuesday, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 2012 budget proposal to the National Assembly, without providing for the fuel subsidy. Reacting, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Owei Lakemfa, said protest was inevitable.
He had said, "The exclusion of fuel subsidy in the budget is not only tragic, but a declaration of war on the Nigerian people. Thus, the Nigerian people will have no choice but to confront this challenge.
"We call on all Nigerian workers and people to begin preparations for a general strike and mass protest. The people must be prepared in the next few weeks when the Jonathan administration begins to implement his anti-Nigerian policy. Nigerians should prepare to occupy the streets and public institutions to prevent them from being taken over by unpatriotic forces."
The police authorities launched the plan to curtail the protest shortly after Lakemfa’s declaration.
Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajayi, said the police would not prevent a peaceful protest because it ceased to use force against protesters since 2003.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Command, Dabo Ezekiel, said the command had placed orders for riot gear and other weapons. He stated that this was a proactive measure to sustain peace in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Peter Gana, also confirmed that the state was acquiring more riot gadgets.
The Ondo state police command said it was ready to stop any form of protest that might arise from the removal of subsidy.
The PPRO, Adeniran Aremu, said patrol vehicles had been stationed in strategic points in Akure and other major towns. He added that the police were carrying out ‘stop and search’ on vehicles owned by suspected persons that were likely to cause breach of public peace.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Command, Aminu Lawan, told our correspondent that special riot and regular policemen had been deployed to various flashpoints across the state.
In Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, the police said it had deployed their men in some ‘strategic locations’.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Hogan Bassey, who waxed philosophical, said, "Woodrow Wilson once said that it pays to plan ahead for Noah did not see the flood when he built the ark.
The Enugu State Police Command said it was fully prepared to deal with any crisis or contingencies that might arise due to removal of the fuel subsidy.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said, "We are not aware of any impending crisis or trouble in the state. We have a security network and strategy that can cope very well with any given situation. We would, however, intensify our strategy."
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, said the police were fully on the ground to ensure that anyone who broke the law in the guise of protesting against the proposed subsidy would be fully dealt with.
In Jos, more soldiers and mobile policemen have been deployed in the streets, apparently to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the event of a possible backlash from the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Egoaveon Emokpai, said it was the custom of the command to remain battle-ready to deal with security challenges.
The Anambra State Police Command has said it has enough men and facilities on ground to contain any public disorder that may greet the proposed withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
Suspected armed robbers on Saturday shot dead a mobile policeman, a pregnant woman and her husband in the oil-rich city of Warri, Delta State.
The incidents took place at separate locations in Warri.
During the week that the plan includes the deployment of anti-riot policemen to sensitive commands, the procurement of riot gear and the re-evaluation of the level of preparedness of the police.
The Force Headquarters, Abuja, put all the state commands on high alert following the Nigeria Labour Congress’ recent warning that Nigerians should get ready for mass action.
On Tuesday, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 2012 budget proposal to the National Assembly, without providing for the fuel subsidy. Reacting, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Owei Lakemfa, said protest was inevitable.
He had said, "The exclusion of fuel subsidy in the budget is not only tragic, but a declaration of war on the Nigerian people. Thus, the Nigerian people will have no choice but to confront this challenge.
"We call on all Nigerian workers and people to begin preparations for a general strike and mass protest. The people must be prepared in the next few weeks when the Jonathan administration begins to implement his anti-Nigerian policy. Nigerians should prepare to occupy the streets and public institutions to prevent them from being taken over by unpatriotic forces."
The police authorities launched the plan to curtail the protest shortly after Lakemfa’s declaration.
Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajayi, said the police would not prevent a peaceful protest because it ceased to use force against protesters since 2003.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Command, Dabo Ezekiel, said the command had placed orders for riot gear and other weapons. He stated that this was a proactive measure to sustain peace in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Peter Gana, also confirmed that the state was acquiring more riot gadgets.
The Ondo state police command said it was ready to stop any form of protest that might arise from the removal of subsidy.
The PPRO, Adeniran Aremu, said patrol vehicles had been stationed in strategic points in Akure and other major towns. He added that the police were carrying out ‘stop and search’ on vehicles owned by suspected persons that were likely to cause breach of public peace.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Command, Aminu Lawan, told our correspondent that special riot and regular policemen had been deployed to various flashpoints across the state.
In Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, the police said it had deployed their men in some ‘strategic locations’.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, Hogan Bassey, who waxed philosophical, said, "Woodrow Wilson once said that it pays to plan ahead for Noah did not see the flood when he built the ark.
The Enugu State Police Command said it was fully prepared to deal with any crisis or contingencies that might arise due to removal of the fuel subsidy.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Ebere Amaraizu, said, "We are not aware of any impending crisis or trouble in the state. We have a security network and strategy that can cope very well with any given situation. We would, however, intensify our strategy."
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Charles Muka, said the police were fully on the ground to ensure that anyone who broke the law in the guise of protesting against the proposed subsidy would be fully dealt with.
In Jos, more soldiers and mobile policemen have been deployed in the streets, apparently to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the event of a possible backlash from the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.
The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Egoaveon Emokpai, said it was the custom of the command to remain battle-ready to deal with security challenges.
The Anambra State Police Command has said it has enough men and facilities on ground to contain any public disorder that may greet the proposed withdrawal of fuel subsidy.
Suspected armed robbers on Saturday shot dead a mobile policeman, a pregnant woman and her husband in the oil-rich city of Warri, Delta State.
The incidents took place at separate locations in Warri.
Policeman, others shot dead in Warri.
Suspected armed robbers on Saturday shot dead a mobile policeman, a pregnant woman and her husband in the oil-rich city of Warri, Delta State.
The robbers were said to have killed the pregnant woman and her husband after they were robbed at the main market along the Warri/Sapele Road near Nigerian Port Authority office.
It was not clear as at press time whether the robbers were on the trail of their victims but sources said the robbers raided shops in the area where they killed the victims.
The identity of the deceased could not also be immediately ascertained.
Also, the bandits were said to have also opened fire on an unnamed policeman along the Okere Market by the popular Caravan One, Ejemudaro Street on sighting a police checkpoint along the route.
It was gathered that the bandits opened fire on the policemen at the checkpoint while they were escaping after they had successfully robbed some residents in the area.
The State Police Public Relation Officer, Charles Muka, when contacted on the phone said he was yet to be briefed on the incident.
Efforts to speak with the Area Commander in charge of Delta South, Assistant Commissioner of Police Abutu Yaro, did not also yield results as his mobile phones were switched off.
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