Akwa Ibom Police CP Ayilara Warns Would Be Protesters Against Hijack By Hoodlums
… Issues Guidelines on routes and mode
By Emmanuel Uffot
Ahead of the nationwide protest schedule for tomorrow August 1, 2024 the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police Waheed Ayilara has warned would be partipants at the proposed nationwide protest to be wary of hoodlums hijacking their action to cause mayhem.
According to a release by the Command’s Public Relations Officer ASP Timfon John, the CP calls on organizers to furnish the Command with information on routes and places of convergence before 1st August, in order to ensure adequate security.
The PPRO statement read “In view of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for 1st to 10th August, 2024 tagged, “END BAD GOVERNANCE”, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun PhD, NPM that all organizers of the protest give details of their activities to their respective Police Commands for the purpose of security arrangements before the commencement date,
the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, “CP Waheed Ayilara has called on organizers of the protest in Akwa Ibom State, ( if any ) to submit the following details of their activities to the office of the Command Public Relations Officer ( PPRO ).
“The required details are:
(i)The proposed protest assembling point and routes.
(ii) Expected duration of the protest.
(iii) Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.
(iv) Measures to prevent hijack by criminal elements”.
She further stated that State Police Command CP has also urged both the organizers and those embarking on the protest to cooperate with the Police towards ensuring that the proposed protest is carried out peacefully without being hijacked by unscrupulous persons
According to her the Command will be alive to their responsibility of ensuring maintenance of peace and promised the good people of Akwa Ibom State that it will spare no resources in ensuring that residents are protected during and after the protest and will continue to maintain law and order throughout the State.
“Those participating in any form of protest are therefore advised to ensure that they maintain the sanctity of public gathering and lawful assembly and avoid acts capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order in the State”.
It could be recalled that the Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun had earlier issued such guidelines to organisers of the protest to adhere to.
Apart from impressive combat of crime in the state since CP Ayilara assumed duty in the state, this is the second time the Command under him will be face with handling public protest.
The first was the NLC/TUC protest over minimum wage.
