The Federal Government has tightened security across all the nations borders ahead of the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1.
Kemi Nandap, Comptroller General, Nigeria Immigration Service, (NIS) said this in a statement issued by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Kenneth Udo, on Saturday in Abuja.
Nandap directed all Zonal Heads, State Command Comptrollers and Divisional Immigration Officers (DIOS) of the Service across the country to be extra vigilant.
She said officers and men of the service should intensify surveillance in view of the planned protest by some groups
She also said that the directive was to ensure that foreign elements do not come into the country to participate in the protests.
“In keeping with the responsibility of safeguarding the nation’s gateways placed on the shoulders of the Service, officers especially Heads of Border Commands, are tasked to rise to the occasion.
“This is by ensuring that no foreign element can take advantage of the protest to distabilise the country,” she said.
The NIS CG directed temporary suspension of all leave applications and charges officers to exercise utmost professionalism and patriotism in the discharge of their duties.
This, she said should enduring and after the protest, saying, “Nigeria is the only country we have as our own.”
Nandap assured all Nigerians of the Service’s preparedness to safeguard the nation’s borders towards enhancing national Security.
Protest: Take Charge, Prevent Anarchy, Egbetokun Orders Squad Commanders
Meanwhile, ahead of the planned nationwide protest, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has ordered commanders of Tactical Squads, to take charge of their areas of operations by preventing violence and anarchy across the country.
The order comes following determination by the organisers of the protest to proceed with the protest, despite appeals by the government, individuals and groups.
Addressing the commanders from the Police Mobile Force’s Counter Terrorism Unit and Special Protection Unit in Abuja on Saturday, Egbetokun said citizens have a right to peaceful protest, however, such rights must not be allowed to infringe on the rights of others.
The inspector general of police also stressed the need for the commanders to ensure that all officers, and men of the force remain professional by exercising utmost restraint in the face of provocation.
Egbetokun had earlier requested demonstrators to submit their details to the police.
While briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, he specifically asked all groups planning to participate in the demonstrations to submit their details to the commissioners of police in their respective states.
The reason he gave was that the protest was peaceful.
“We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest,” the police boss said.
“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.
“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”
The IG added that the information expected from the organisers also includes measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.
Hijacking
Worried by the possibility of the protest being hijacked by criminal elements, the IGP explained that the police authorities needed the necessary information to also identify potential troublemakers.
He reiterated the police’s determination to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, saying the Force needs to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
The IGP also released other guidelines to the protesters, among which were for them to “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”
