The Nigeria Police Force has launched a massive plan to combat protests and riots that may occur in reaction to the Federal Government’s removal of subsidy on petroleum products.



SUNDAY PUNCH learnt during the week that the plan includes the deployment of anti-riot policemen to sensitive commands, the procurement of riot gear and the re-evaluation of the level of preparedness of the police.

Our correspondents gathered that the Force Headquarters, Abuja, put all the state commands on high alert following the Nigeria Labour Congress’ recent warning that Nigerians should get ready for mass action.

On Tuesday, President Goodluck Jonathan presented the 2012 budget proposal to the National Assembly, without providing for the fuel subsidy. Reacting, the Acting General Secretary of the NLC, Mr. Owei Lakemfa, said protest was inevitable.

He had said, "The exclusion of fuel subsidy in the budget is not only tragic, but a declaration of war on the Nigerian people. Thus, the Nigerian people will have no choice but to confront this challenge.

"We call on all Nigerian workers and people to begin preparations for a general strike and mass protest. The people must be prepared in the next few weeks when the Jonathan administration begins to implement his anti-Nigerian policy. Nigerians should prepare to occupy the streets and public institutions to prevent them from being taken over by unpatriotic forces."

SUNDAY PUNCH learnt that the police authorities launched the plan to curtail the protest shortly after Lakemfa’s declaration.

Some of our correspondents report that the increased police presence in many states on Thursday; and the deployment of policemen to "sensitive and important national installations" were a part of this plan.

In some states, it was learnt that the police commands had placed orders for more riot gear to contain the protesters while security meetings had been going on on how best to tackle the mass action.

The Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Yemi Ajayi, said the police would not prevent a peaceful protest because it ceased to use force against protesters since 2003.

"We won’t stop Nigerians from protesting as long as it’s peaceful; we are only against troublemakers and miscreants who may want to take advantage of the demonstration to steal or foment trouble," he said.

ILORIN: ‘We have placed orders for riot gear and weapons’

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kwara State Command, Mr. Dabo Ezekiel, said the command had placed orders for riot gear and other weapons. He stated that this was a proactive measure to sustain peace in the state.

Ezekiel said, "I cannot comment on whether we have made any contingency arrangements because for now, we have not got any intelligence report. Kwara is a peaceful state. But we have placed orders for riot gear and weapons."

The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Peter Gana, also confirmed that the state was acquiring more riot gadgets.

He said, "It is an ongoing process across the states. We have ordered for ours."

ONDO: ‘No protest will take place here’

The Ondo state police command said it was ready to stop any form of protest that might arise from the removal of subsidy.

The PPRO, Mr. Adeniran Aremu, said patrol vehicles had been stationed in strategic points in Akure and other major towns. He added that the police were carrying out ‘stop and search’ on vehicles owned by suspected persons that were likely to cause breach of public peace.

He said, "We have enough personnel and equipment to stop any uprising."

KADUNA: Mobile police squadron, Operation Yaki deployed

The Police Public Relations Officer, Kaduna State Command, Aminu Lawan, told our correspondent that special riot and regular policemen had been deployed to various flashpoints across the state.

Lawan said, "We have an elaborate operational order in place already. All our men are committed. Four units of mobile police have been deployed to Southern Kaduna and additional 80 conventional policemen have also been deployed there. This is apart from the policemen serving in all the divisions in Southern Kaduna.

"In the Zaria axis, we already have the Mobile Police Squadron. They are committed to beefing up security in that area. Operation Yaki men comprising the police and the military as well as the riders will also patrol throughout the state up to Birnin Gwari."

CALABAR: Police deploy men in strategic locations

In Calabar, the capital of Cross River State, the police said it had deployed their men in some ‘strategic locations’.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Hogan Bassey, who waxed philosophical, said, "Woodrow Wilson once said that it pays to plan ahead for Noah did not see the flood when he built the ark.

"We do not need intelligence report. When there is any policy change, such as oil subsidy removal, we have to put in place necessary strategies. As I speak, the police in this command are undergoing continuous training, while others have been positioned in strategic places both within and outside the state capital."

However, Bassey, an Assistant Superintendent of Police, did not mention the hot spots where the police personnel had been positioned, but our correspondent gathered that some of the likely areas were the University of Calabar, Cross River University of Technology, Marina Resort area, Calabar South and Watt Market.

ENUGU: ‘We will intensify our strategy’

The Enugu State Police Command said it was fully prepared to deal with any crisis or contingencies that might arise due to removal of the fuel subsidy.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ebere Amaraizu, said, "We are not aware of any impending crisis or trouble in the state. We have a security network and strategy that can cope very well with any given situation. We would, however, intensify our strategy."

For the hot spots that are likely to receive special attention, Amaraizu said, "Every spot or community in Enugu State has always received special attention. Proactive policing is better than reactive policing. We do not have to wait for a riot to take place before we act."

DELTA: ‘We are fully on ground’

The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, said the police were fully on the ground to ensure that anyone who broke the law in the guise of protesting against the proposed subsidy would be fully dealt with.

He said, "We are fully on the ground for any eventuality. We will make sure that nobody introduces violence in the process of enforcing the demonstration.’’

JOS: Helicopter on surveillance

In Jos, more soldiers and mobile policemen have been deployed in the streets, apparently to forestall any breakdown of law and order in the event of a possible backlash from the proposed removal of fuel subsidy.

One of our correspondents reports that a helicopter has been hovering in the air while armoured personnel carriers have been stationed at strategic points.

When our correspondent called the Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Apev James, he said he was in a meeting and would call back but he had yet to do so as at press time.

A senior police officer, however, told SUNDAY PUNCH on the condition of anonymity that the police were not taking any chances. He said more men and weapons would be on the streets if there was a demonstration because of the nature of Jos.

BAYELSA: ‘We have adequate security arrangements’

The Police Public Relations Officer for the state, Mr. Egoaveon Emokpai, told our correspondent that it was the custom of the command to remain battle-ready to deal with security challenges.

He said, "For now we are not worried about the fuel subsidy removal because we have adequate security arrangements in place to deal with security challenges in the state. We are, however, strengthening our security network in the Yuletide to forestall the breakdown of law and order."

ANAMBRA: ‘We have enough men and facilities on ground’

The Anambra State Police Command has said it has enough men and facilities on ground to contain any public disorder that may greet the proposed withdrawal of fuel subsidy.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, told SUNDAY PUNCH on Friday that policemen were on the alert to respond to the situation. Chukwuemeka however declined giving further details on the strategy to be adopted.


http://www.punchng.com/index.php/news/item/8062-police-prepare-to-crush-pro-subsidy-protests

Fresh Air

I wonder why only Ondo in South Western Region. Mimiko is PDP in disguise.