HUNGER PROTEST: ANAMBRA NSCDC ADVISES PROTESTERS, DEPLOYS 1,190 PERSONNEL
Prior to the August 1 nationwide protest, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, announced that 1,190 officers and men have been deployed.
The Anambra State Commandant of NSCDC, Maku Olatunde, stated this in Awka, the state capital, after a meeting with other service commanders in the state.
The Head of Media and Tactical Operations, Okadigbo Edwin, made this revelation in a statement on Monday.
According to Edwin, the command is steadfastly dedicated to upholding law and order prior to, during, and after the planned protest.
According to him, the deployment is in line with a marching order given to it by the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi, to stand firm as the lead agency statutorily responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.
The statement said, āWhile 350 personnel are for the anti sit-at-home order operations on Monday, 840 personnel are to resist all forms of violent protests and lawlessness, as well as prevent vandalism of critical national assets and infrastructure.
āIn line with a marching order given to us by the Commandant General, Dr Ahmed Audi,Ā to stand firm on our core mandate as the lead agency statutorily responsible for protecting critical national assets and infrastructure.
āThe Command will not remain passive or indifferent in the face of violent activities that threaten to disrupt the peaceful co-existence of all Anambra residents or destroy our National Critical Assets & Infrastructure
āInstead, we will take proactive measures to prevent and counteract such actions, ensuring the safety and security of Anambra citizens and the protection of suchĀ critical assets.ā
The NSCDC urged the protest organisers to stay within the bounds of the law, even as it acknowledged citizens’ rights to protest.
āIndividuals contemplating illegal acts during the protest, such as tampering with government assets or infrastructure will face severe legal consequences. The public is reminded that these actions are considered serious offences.
āAdditionally, disrupting social and economic activities in the state, particularly at strategic facilities like airports and hospitals, and hindering essential service providers from carrying out their duties, is strictly prohibited.
āThose who ignore these warnings will be held accountable and face the full force of the law,ā the statement added.