Nigeran Security and Civil Defence Corp officials in Anambra State have said they have deployed 1,190 officers and men to maintain law and order ahead of the planned nationwide protest on August 1.
Maku Olatunde, the commandant of the corps in the state, declared the figures on Sunday after meeting with the service commanders through a statement signed and released by the Head of Media and Tactical Operations, Okadigbo Edwin, on Monday.
He explained that the corps commandant general, Dr Ahmed Audi, had directed the deployment, necessitating the recent steps.
Providing more detail, the commandant explained that 350 personnel would enforce the anti-sit-at-home order operations, 840 personnel would work to resist all forms of violent protests and lawlessness, and cocktail all forms of vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure in the state.
He further stated the corps’ core mandate includes protecting key national assets in their jurisdiction; he noted that his office will work in that line to ensure that all assets are protected during the protest.
Speaking on protecting citizens against violent conduct, the commandant noted that the command will be active to ensure that the peace and co-existence of the people are not threatened during the protest. He noted that protecting the lives and properties of all individuals in Anambra state is their priority.
The statement also holds the right of the citizens to protest peacefully, noting that all organizers of protests in the country must operate according to what the law stipulates.
The statement also prohibits disrupting activities in key government infrastructures, especially airports and hospitals, and the movement of goods and services. He further noted that the government will not take it likely if any individual or group of persons destroys government infrastructure and facilities.
He noted that any individual in such a scenario would be treated at the discretion of the law.
Meanwhile, in Kwara, the commandant of the corps explained that different personnel have been deployed in all parts of the state to discourage any form of lawlessness in the state.
Earlier on Monday, protesters in Niger state trooped to the streets to begin a demonstration against what has been tagged an end to bad governance. Some of the protesters who spoke to newsmen noted that the failure of the government has gone beyond them, explaining that protesting is the only way they can speak to the government.
The protesters walk through the street of Minna chanting songs that portray the government in a bad light and carrying placards with different inscriptions.
Earlier, the governor of the state had made efforts to prevent the citizens of the state from protesting. In his efforts, Governor Mohammed Bago gave the state residents different welfare programs. He announced an N20,000 wage allowance for state and local government civil servants and the release of 50,000 metric tonnes of assorted grains, which should be sold at 50% of the current rate to down the price of commodities in the market.
All state actors have initiated efforts to discourage the protesters from the August 1st demonstration. The president had met with the governors and traditions to initiate the best steps to avert the protest.
