The Defence Headquarters on Monday said troops had been placed on alert to support the police during the nationwide protest scheduled for Tuesday (today).
This was as senior lawyers and civil society organisations cautioned against military deployment during the rally, noting that it could aggravate the situation and trigger violence.
The October 1 protest tagged #FearlessInOctober is a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance protests held between August 1 and 10 in response to the economic hardship experienced by many Nigerians.
The protests resulted in violence in parts of the country, especially in the North, which led to looting of shops and warehouses while some participants waved the Russian flag and demanded a regime change.
In response, the authorities apprehended no fewer than 30 protesters with Russian flags in Kano and other states.
Also, one of the Russian flag producers, identified as Ahmed Bello, was arrested with a large quantity of flags in Kano.
They were allegedly incited by a 70-year-old Briton, Andrew Wynne, who is said to be at large.
speaking on security preparation for the October 1 protest in an interview with one of our correspondents, the Director of Media Operations, Maj. Gen. Edward Buba, stated that troops would support the Nigeria Police Force to maintain law and order.
He said, “The military is on alert and prepared to support the police in line with constitutional provisions, particularly in the face of breakdown of law and order.”
However, the Public Relations Officer, 33 Artillery Brigade Bauchi, Solomon Hallet, explained that the brigade had yet to get any request from the NPF.
He stated, “You know our constitutional responsibility is when we are called upon. And the military is always ready at all times. But if we are not called upon, we have no business with civil disturbance.”
m a Nigerian and a military officer, I have signed to do my work irrespective of protest or not. We, the military, are in the background. We don’t need to interfere in anything civil until we are called upon.”
The spokesman, Division 7 of the Nigerian Army in Borno State, Lt. Col A.Y. Jingina, told one of our correspondents that troops in the state were on “high alert” to support the police in enforcing law and order ahead of the Independence Day celebration today.
“We have always done that, because of the nature of this place. Anytime the police call us to do that, we always help them. As we speak, we already have men on ground. You know this is an operational ground, so we have our men on ground but we cannot disclose the number of men we are deploying for the operation.”
In a related development, the Federal Capital Territory Police Command said it had commenced deployment of personnel and equipment for today’s Independence celebration.
The command, however, was silent over its preparation for the protest.
In a statement on Monday, the command’s spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said the deployment included Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel, anti-riot equipment, and visibility policing, among others.
She added that this was to ensure FCT residents had a peaceful Independence Day celebration.
She said, “The FCT Police Command, in anticipation of the upcoming October 1st Independence Day celebration, has strategically deployed adequate personnel and equipment throughout the FCT.
equipment, and visibility policing, among others.”
She also said there would be traffic diversion in areas likely to witness large crowds, especially the Eagle Square, where the protesters had vowed they would converge for the protest.
Adeh said, “Traffic diversions will be implemented in areas expected to experience large crowds, including Central Area and Eagle Square.
“While celebrating Independence Day, residents of the FCT are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious movements or activities to the FCT Police emergency lines: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653, PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.”
Similarly, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Monday deployed 3,500 personnel across the FCT to ensure security during the country’s 64th anniversary.
