Nationwide protest: Enugu police raise alarm over plots to hijack exercise, warns against violence

Ahead of the announced nationwide protest, the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Kanayo Uzuegbu has warned against acts of violence and breach of public peace.

The Command said this was necessary to protect lives, property, and critical national assets.

This was contained in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, Enugu State Command, DSP Daniel Ndukwe.

The warning, he said, was considering available intelligence revealing the sinister plans of criminal elements to infiltrate, hijack the planned protest, and unleash mayhem on law-abiding citizens and property in the State.

The intelligence, the Commissioner further stated, showed that the hoodlums, as experienced during the violent EndSARS protests, "intend to attack fellow citizens, destroy public and private property, and perpetrate acts of looting. However, he reiterates the collaborative commitment of the police and other security forces to deal decisively with such criminal elements."

He added that while the CP recognized the constitutional rights of citizens to lawfully assemble and express their grievances, as currently touted, "it will be completely unacceptable for them to allow such assemblies or protests to be hijacked and made to become violent, especially in these challenging times."

The CP cautioned those intending to carry out the planned protest in Enugu State to find reasons to shelve the plans, given the available intelligence, and seek alternative peaceful means to express their grievances.

The Commissioner emphasized that proceeding with the idea "will require them to strictly adhere to existing laws, particularly the Public Order Act.

"Hence, they must apply, stating their leaders, date, time, place of takeoff, and duration of the exercise, subject to thorough assessment and approval of such applications."

He urged residents of Enugu State to remain law-abiding, vigilant, "and promptly report to the nearest police station, criminals that may want to hide under the guise of the protest to wreak havoc."