#EndBadGovernance: 875 persons arrested criminal elements, not protesters –Police

From Molly Kilete, Abuja

The Police have  arrested 873  protesters  across the country.

The Force Public  Relations Officer (FPRO) ACP  Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said those  arrested  are  rioters,  robbers, looters and criminal elements who took advantage of the protest to carry out their nefarious activities.

Adenobi said that the  arrest of criminal elements should not be described as arrest of protesters.

Adejobi, spoke at the Strategic Communications Interagency Policy Committee joint press with the State Services (DSS) at the service  headquarters in Abuja, saying that, “What we are having in the country right now are protests, demonstrations, and riots. Those arrested are rioters, armed robbers, looters and criminal elements. Arrest of criminal elements should not be described as arrest of protesters.

“Those arrested so far across the country, are criminally-minded persons, looters, who engaged in criminal offences such as vandalization and destruction of public and critical infrastructures. So we should use the appropriate description for them. They are not protesters”.

Answering  questions form journalists on the  use of live bullets against the protesters and journalists at the MKO Abiola Stadium in Abuja, last Friday, Adejoba denied the allegations, saying that  the police and sister security agencies  operated in line with the  rules of engagement while managing the protest.

He said, “Using tear gas canisters against protesters when they resort to violence is allowed anywhere in the world.We have reiterated that we will not fold our hands to see violence again.

“In some states,protesters have been so violent; up to the extent that  they attempted to break into government houses and offices .

“We need to use our words contextually this time around. I know we are aware that we are having protests in Nigeria.

At the same time, we are aware we have riots in some states in Nigeria. So arrests of certain individuals, who have been riotous should not be seen as arrest of protesters. Let us get it clear.

“There are some states in Nigeria that  they are having peaceful protests. Security agencies have been engaging them in some states.

“I am sure, and I know you are aware, that some governors and public office holders have been engaging them. You can only engage a gathering that is friendly and accessible.

“Where you have individuals wielding stones, offensive weapons, dangerous weapons and all the likes; I don’t think a reasonable man will move close or be in the middle of such a gathering.

“This is the Federal Capital Territory, the heartbeat of our own great nation. Based on the Court ruling the FCT Police Commissioner, asked them to use Mashood Abiola National Stadium, not the Umaru Yar’adua Expressway which caused traffic from the Airport Road, City Gate, City Centre and other places.

“So, I think we need to get things right. The venue is Mashood Kashimawo Abiola Stadium,  so if you see any individual on this expressway, I think that person has deliberately and willfully violated the agreement or the court ruling.

“We need to be law-abiding in this country. We need to obey rule of law in this country. Our presence is not to harass anybody, not to intimidate anybody, but for us to protect our national assets.

“You see deployments including every deployment at the three arm zone of the country. Three arm zone harbour the heartbeat of this country; where we can say is the capital of Nigeria, where we have the judiciary, the legislative, and of course,the Villa.

“Eagle Square is opposite and of course, located at the same area. I am sure you know it also harbours the Remembrance Arcade, where we always honour our fallen heroes.

“These are critical assets to us in Nigeria and we value them so much. We don’t want certain individuals to vandalize or cause any destruction.

“You agree with me that in some areas in Abuja,we recorded riots and this protest was violent. I know you know kubwa, you know Maraba axis, where property were destroyed and some set ablaze.

“Anywhere we have these violent engagements, I don’t think we should refer to such an assembly or a gathering or a procession as peaceful anymore.

“I want to confirm again that those that have been arrested so far, to the best  of my knowledge and with the records I have from all the states, are criminally minded individuals.

“They went out and actually engaged in various criminal offences, ranging from armed  robbery, homicide, mischief or the one we call malicious damage, massive destruction of private and public facilities .The owners of the facilities are in pains as I speak with you.

“So, I don’t want us to use the word protesters for those who are actually criminals  To the best of our knowledge and based on our findings, they are rioters and of course, criminally minded individuals.

“Let us mind our words and let’s use appropriate words so that we do not heat up the polity and paint the government and security forces in a negative light.

“We have reiterated on several occasions that we will not fold our arms to see anarchy in the land again.

“We cannot afford to have the violence that we experienced during the last violent #EndSARS in 2020. Up till now, many are still in pains and we cannot allow such a thing to repeat itself.

“In the Southern part as witnessed in the East, in Lagos, in some parts of Rivers. I am sure you know, police and other security agencies have not engaged protesters.

“However, in some states, Kebi,Nasarawa, Kano, Kaduna, and Zamfara,they have been so much violence and destructions. In fact, they went as far aa trying to take over government houses .

“I don’t think the police and other security agencies in these affected states have done anything wrong by engaging them. It is important at that time to engage them professionally. And this what we have done.

“We have arrested so far 873 suspects and these suspects are those who are directly connected to one criminal offence or the other. Where anyone alleges the police have arrested protesters, please let us know the protester.

“I want to use this opportunity to set the record straight. One of the demands of protesters is that the Federal Government should release those who are being incarcerated in prisons for #EndSARS  protests.

“We have seven names. Take-it-back movement alleged that they are protesters. Our statement from the police is that we don’t have any protesters in any of our facilities in Nigeria.

Those incarcerated in correctional centers  are criminals, who have been charged to court  for armed robbery, murder and other criminal offences.

“No single EndSARS protester is still being incarcerated or kept in any of our facilities in Nigeria.Whoever wants to challenge this should come up, I have their names.

“I contacted my colleague from the  Correctional Service. We did our findings and we noticed that the names they rolled out are not protesters but those who  attacked us.

“I think one or two of them are those who went to the palace of Oba of Lagos. Is oba’s palace part of the  protest venue or a police station? I don’t think the Oba’s palace in Lagos is part of police facility. So we need to set this record straight”.