The Nigeria Police Force has admonished the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to shelve its planned protest scheduled for Monday, June 24, 2024 warning that it has strong reasons to believe it will be infiltrated by unscrupulous elements to cause chaos.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olatunji Disu disclosed via a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko that intelligence report at its disposal indicate that the protest will be infiltrated and hijacked by hoodlums and unscrupulous individuals seeking to disrupt the peace and cause mayhem within the state.

Disu stated that to ensure security and safety of the public, the Command has deployed police officers to the secretariats of all 23 local government areas in the State, stressing that the officers are to remain in their respective locations until the threat of disruption of peace has ceased.  

The Rivers State Police Commissioner stated that in as much as the Command respects and recognizes citizens’ right to lawful assembly, it advised the organizers to suspend the planned protest to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

He assured the citizens of necessary lawful measures to protect lives and properties of every resident of Rivers State, promising to deploy all necessary resources at the disposal of the Police in the State to apprehend and prosecute persons or group that attempt to disrupt the peace.

The statement reiterated that the “State Police Command remains committed to maintaining peace and order within the State and will not hesitate to take firm action against any individual or group that attempts to disrupt the public peace in the State”.

CP Olatunji Disu further reassured residents of the State that the Command has geared up security measures to safeguard lives and properties of the citizens and ensure unhindered traffic flow, and fostering a peaceful environment for all law abiding residents.

He, therefore, urged them to go about their daily activities without fear as robust measures have been strategically deployed to guarantee safety and wellbeing of everyone.