Police disperse anti-Buhari protest in Abuja over hijack by miscreants, hoodlums

The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command on Tuesday said it dispersed unruly protesters and prevented breakdown of law and order and disturbance of public peace in the FCT.

Daily Trust gathered that the protesters calling themselves ‘Concerned Nigerians’ began a sit out protest at the Unity Fountain in Abuja, tagged ‘Our-Mumu-Don-Do-Movement.’

It was further learnt that police officers shortly after the protest began unleashed police dogs on the protesters, dispersing the protest.

However, a statement by the spokesman of the FCT police command, DSP Anjuguri Manzah said the Police command in the early hours of 8th August, 2017 intervened and prevented breakdown of law and order, and disturbance of public peace in the FCT.

He said they dispersed some miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements that have infiltrated the protest being carried out by a group of concerned Nigerians under the auspices of Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement.

He recalled that ‘Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement’ carried out their protest on Monday 7th August, 2017 at the same venue and were accorded necessary Police presence to safe guard public safety and public peace.

He said the police also protected their rights to freedom of expression, rights to peaceful Assembly and Association, and right to freedom of movement as provided for in sections 39, 40, and 41 of the 1999 constitution as amended.

Manzah, However, today 8th August, 2017 the same group assembled at the same venue but allowed miscreants, hoodlums and other unruly individuals to infiltrate the protests.

He added that they started blocking the major roads adjoining the Unity fountain, obstructing traffic and preventing movements of other innocent citizens from going to their means of livelihood.

The police said they also exhibited unruly behaviours and other violent acts likely to cause the breakdown of law and order and disturbance of public peace.

He explained that the Police personnel intervened at the point that the concerned Nigerians Group lost control of the crowd and prevented miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements from hijacking the protest to cause mayhem and chaos.

He added that, “It is pertinent to state here that the FCT Police command is fully aware and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen including “Our Mumu Dondo group” to assemble and move freely in any part of the Federal Capital Territory.”

“But the command will not allow any protest under any guise to turn violent and jeopardise the prevailing peace, law and order currently being enjoyed in the FCT.