The Rivers State Police Command has pleaded with the Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees not to hold its planned protest as there is a credible intelligence that it can be hijacked.
The NULGE in Rivers has scheduled the protest over the the closure of the 23 local government council secretariats in the state by the police.
But the police in a statement issued on Sunday night by Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Grace Iringe-Koko, said:
“While the Command recognizes and respects the right to lawful assembly, it has credible intelligence that this protest will be infiltrated and hijacked by hoodlums seeking to cause disruption and mayhem within the state.
“Consequently, the command strongly advises the organisers to suspend the planned protest to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.
“The Police will take all necessary lawful measures to protect the lives and properties of every resident in Rivers State. The Command has vowed to apprehend and prosecute any person or group that attempts to disrupt peace.
“To ensure the safety and security of the public, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji, has deployed Police Officers to the Secretariats of all 23 Local Government Areas in the State.
” These officers will remain in their respective locations until the threat of disruption of peace is deemed to have ceased.”
