The Nigeria Police Force has denied that it issued an order banning peaceful assemblies or protests in Abuja, the federal capital.
Police public relations officer, Frank Mba, said in a statement on Tuesday that the Force only issued an “advisory notice” enjoining citizens to apply caution in the #BringBackOurGirls rallies, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, and its environs.
Mba said the warning was given against the backdrop of current security challenges in the country coupled with a recent intelligence report of a likely infiltration and hijack of the peaceful protests by some criminal elements having links with insurgents.
He said although citizens have a constitutional and democratic right to hold rallies, there was the need for the organizers of such gatherings to ensure that they seek proper advice and guidance from the Police so as to avoid any unpleasant circumstances.
The police commissioner added that the persistent protest which has lasted over a month has become a nuisance to the government, stressing that the bane of the remonstration, which is terrorism, is not solved in a day.
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