The restriction is sequel to a series of protests, such as the one on 30th October 2018 in various parts of Abuja, which brought the capital city to a standstill, crumbling economic activities and inflicting untold hardship on motorists and the general public.
The police have restricted all forms of protests within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Unity Fountain, Central Business District, Abuja.
According to a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba said the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Adamu, gave the order on Wednesday.
He explained that the directive was in furtherance of the efforts by the police at ensuring the security of life and property, free flow of traffic, and protection of economic activities.
Mba added that the force was committed to ensuring more coordinated handling of peaceful protest in the FCT.
He said, “By this directive, intending protesters are requested to steer clear of all critical national infrastructures, especially the Three Arms Zone and other sensitive security areas.
“They are, however, at liberty to assemble and conduct peaceful protests within the Unity Fountain (the authorized protest zone).
“The restriction is sequel to a series of protests, such as the one on 30th October 2018 in various parts of Abuja, which brought the capital city to a standstill, crumbling economic activities and inflicting untold hardship on motorists and the general public.”
The police spokesman noted that a similar protest in the same month led to the setting ablaze of a police patrol vehicle at Banex Plaza in Abuja.
He stated, “This year, on the 9th of July, another protest at the National Assembly, Abuja, led to an unprovoked attack on police officers on legitimate national assignment, injuring nine of them and causing massive damage to public and private property.”
Mba added: “Needless to state that it is within the prerogative of the police to regulate activities of protesters who have the tendency to cause damage to life and property, particularly to innocent and non-protesting citizens, who also have equal right to exercise their freedom, unmolested by the protesting group.”