Police Tighten Security for Planned One-Million-Man Hunger Protest

In anticipation of the planned one-million-man march on Saturday, aimed at ending the #EndBadGovernance protests, the Rivers State Police Command has announced heightened security measures and warned that any protests outside designated venues will result in arrests.

The police identified the two approved protest locations as Isaac Boro Park and Pleasure Park, both situated along Aba Road in Port Harcourt, the state capital. The command emphasized that the warning was necessary due to intelligence reports suggesting that some individuals, who were previously unable to engage in looting during the protests, might attempt to use the final day of demonstrations to incite violence and cause chaos under the guise of a hunger protest.

In a statement issued on Friday in Port Harcourt, Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the state police command, stated, “The Rivers State Police Command has been informed about the planned ‘One Million Man Protest’ scheduled to take place across the 36 states of Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory on Saturday, August 10, 2024.

“We are aware that some miscreants, who were previously prevented from engaging in looting and other criminal activities during the earlier days of the protest, have resolved to use this final day to harass innocent citizens, unleash mayhem, loot, and extort unsuspecting residents of the state.”

Iringe-Koko added that the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olatunji Disu, has directed all protesters to converge at the designated areas of Isaac Boro Park and Pleasure Park, to ensure their safety and to allow the police to maintain order. “This will enable the police to effectively protect the protesters and curtail any breakdown of law and order in the state. The Command will not condone any protest or procession outside of these two designated areas,” the statement emphasized.

The police command also announced that it has put all tactical units and divisional officers on high alert across the state, with orders to prevent any actions that could disrupt public peace.

“The Commissioner of Police has further instructed all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, and Tactical Team Commanders to implement robust patrol strategies and maintain close monitoring across their respective Areas of Responsibility. Their mandate is to apprehend and prosecute any individuals or groups found to be engaging in unlawful activities or causing disturbances,” the statement continued.

The police noted that their professional handling of the protests over the past nine days has resulted in no casualties and pledged to maintain this record. “The command is committed to maintaining this record and will respond swiftly to any breach of law and order, without hesitation. The public is advised to refrain from any actions that may compromise the peace and security of the state. The Command is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents and will not tolerate any attempt to disrupt public order,” the statement concluded.