The Delta Police Command has ordered a massive deployement of police personnel across the state ahead of the planned protest by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) sheduled for Tuesday, February 27, 2024.
The Command spokesperson, DSP Bright Edafe said in a statement on Monday in Asaba, that the deployment was on the orders of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olufemi Abaniwonda.
According to the statement, the deployment of police personnel to the streets is inline with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
“The massive deployment of personnel is to ensure adequate security and safety during the planned protest by the NLC and also to ensure that the protest is not hijacked.
“At an interaction with Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and DPOS, CP Abaniwonda directed them to emplace measures to forestall any breakdown of law and order”, Edafe said.
The police image maker said that CP Abaniwonda had held a stakeholders meeting with the leadership of the NLC, TUC and IPMAN in the state last Thursday to ensure that the planned protest is seamless.
The statement quoted the CP as saying that the primary responsibility of the Police is to ensure the protection of life and property, which includes the security of protesters.
“However, the CP also reiterated that the citizen’s right to protest is a right to peaceful protest, as violent protest is criminal and will not be tolerated.
“The CP equally directed the State Intelligence Department (SID) to deploy undercover operatives who will monitor the protest and report back findings.
“Manpower has also been drawn from Tactical Teams which includes Safer Highway, Dragon Patrol, Safe Delta, Raiders Unit, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad (SAKCCS).
“Also, additional personnel were also deployed from Department of Operations, Area Commands, and Divisions across the state”, Edafe said.
The statement warned all intending protesters that anyone found wanting will be immediately arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
In a related development, Civil Society groups in Delta have backed down from the planned protest by the NLC.
Mr. Victor Ojei, spokesperson of the Association of Civil Society Organisations in Delta told our correspondent in an interview that the group would not be joining the protest.
“We the civil societies in Delta, will not be part of the planned protest by the NLC because we don’t see anything productive coming from the protest.
“First and foremost, the leadership of the NLC has never been sincere to the yearnings of the citizenry, rather, they are pursuing their personal agenda.
“Come to think of it, what has previous protests and strike action of the NLC yielded to the ordinary Nigerian?
“What we need now is ideas and solutions on the way forward. People should come forward with suggestions on how best the nation can overcome its present challenges”, he said.
Ojei, who is the founder of Young Nigerian Rights Organisation (YNRO), argued that what the government needs at the moment is support and meaningful suggestions.
“Let us not forget that protests like this usually get hijacked by elements that don’t mean well for our nation. We should not be in a hurry to forget past experiences”, Ojei said.