As the planned protests, projected against the high cost of living among other issues, recorded violence in some part of Nigeria, the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu decided to address the nation in a broadcast on Sunday, at 7:00 in the morning.
In a statement released by his aide on Saturday stating that Television, radio, and other electronic media outlets are enjoined to plug into the network services of Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) for the broadcast.
While added that the broadcast will be repeated on the network services of the NTA and the FRCN at 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm on the same day
Meanwhile the Nigeria Police Force has debunked the a recent report publicized by Amnesty International, which claimed that thirteen (13) individuals have lost their lives due to the protests in the country that began on 1st August 2024.
Amnesty International further alleged that security personnel deliberately employed tactics designed to kill while managing gatherings and used firearms as a tactical tool for protest management.
To counter this report, the Police through its Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a statement revealed that it wishes to provide an accurate account of incidents from the first two (2) days of the nationwide protests.
According to the Police, In Borno State, four (4) individuals lost their lives and thirty-four (34) were severely injured in a terrorist attack by suspected Boko Haram/ISWAP elements who infiltrated the crowd of protesters and detonated an Improvised Explosive Device (IED).
“Additionally, an incident occurred involving an unregistered Honda Prelude car that ran into the protesters, resulting in the deaths of two (2) civilians. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene.
“Although the vehicle was vandalized after the incident, it has been recovered and is currently in police custody. Efforts ongoing to trace the driver and bring him to justice.
“There was another incident reported in Yauri, in Yauri Local Govt Area of Kebbi State where a group of individuals mobilized to loot a shop. In the process, a local vigilante man shot and killed one of the looters.
“The Commissioner of Police in charge of Kebbi State is currently investigating the incident. This brings the total number of deaths recorded during the protests to seven (7)”, the Police revealed.
While stated categorically that there were no other recorded fatalities during the protests apart from those mentioned above, adding that incidences of armed robbery, arson, mischief, looting of public institutions and private businesses, destructions of both public and private property were recorded during the protest also.
It explained that arrests were made with respect to these criminal incidences and a number of recoveries made from suspects while the protest was going on, reiterated that its personnel deployed to manage the protests have acted professionally and refrained from using lethal weapons.
“In instances where protesters became riotous, the police employed teargas to disperse them. Even when our officers on lawful duty were attacked and injured, the police effected arrests using only teargas, demonstrating utmost restraint.
“In an effort to combat the trend of crimes and criminality, the police have arrested a total of six hundred and eighty-one (681) individuals who committed various criminal offenses such as armed robbery, arson, mischief, and destructions of both public and private property.
“Dangerous weapons, including two (2) AK-47 rifles and assorted live ammunition, were recovered from so-called protesters. Additionally, stolen items such as furniture, electronics, phones, other various shop items, and vital infrastructures worth billions of naira were recovered from the arrested persons”, the Police said.
It pointed out that contrary to circulating news, organizers of the protest or protesters were not arrested and those in custody are under investigation for clear connections to criminal activities.
Furthermore, the Police also revealed that nine (9) officers sustained various degrees of injuries during attacks by protesters, added that one of them who initially was reported dead, miraculously survived but remains in critical condition.
The Police advised that since the ongoing protest has obviously turned violent, law abiding citizens taking part in the protest across the country should immediately withdraw from it.
Saying this advice becomes necessary in view of the violence that has characterized the protest in the last 2 days. “It’s reasonably expected that Peaceful protesters would have withdrawn from the protest that has turned violent.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its committed to providing accurate information and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during these challenging times.
“It is essential to recognize that the strategic deployment by the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other security agencies, decisive clampdown on criminal elements exploiting the protests for unlawful activities, highly effective in quelling tension, curbing the violence and anarchy witnessed on the first day of the protests.
“During this challenging period, the Police vowed to recommit to performing its lawful duties with professionalism, maintaining law and order, preventing anarchy throughout the country” while appealed to citizens, residents to disregard unfounded and psychologically manipulative reports circulating about incidents during these protests.
