Police may bar SNG from protesting on Saturday

JANUARY 20, 2012 BY ENIOLA AKINKUOTU 12 COMMENTS
There are indications that the Lagos State Police Command will not allow the Save Nigeria Group to stage any protest on Saturday.

In a statement by F.O. Ubani, and addressed to the Commissioner of Police for the state command, Mr. Yakubu Alkali, the SNG had requested for Police support and cooperation for a rally which will hold on Saturday.

However, our correspondent learnt that the command would deny support to the SNG without stating reasons.

A senior police officer, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said the refusal on the part of the police was due to the fact that hoodlums could easily make the protests violent.

He said, “The Federal Government deployed soldiers to forestall protests or rallies because of fear that they could turn violent.

“Also, in the past, hoodlums had seized the opportunity to perpetuate violent acts and disrupt public peace.

“Therefore, no protests will be allowed to hold on Saturday or anytime soon until things settle down.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the state command, Mr. Samuel Jinadu, said he could not comment on the issue. When our correspondent called the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Yakubu Alkali, on the telephone, the following conversation ensued.

Correspondent: Sir, we learnt that the police will not allow the protest to take place on Saturday

Alkali: What kind of question are you asking? Last week we supported protesters and everything went on smoothly, you did not write about that. Now that we have refused some people permission to go on protest against fuel subsidy removal, because the Trade Union Congress and the Nigerian Labour Congress have disallowed anyone embarking on protests. I refused them permission to go on protest and you’re now asking me questions.

Correspondent: I just want to confirm if you will give the protesters support or not

Alkali: We are Nigerians; let’s tell each other the truth. You never wrote anything good about what we did during the last week protests, neither did you write anything good about the Lagos State Police Command.

The way you people are doing things; you act as if some people are special. From Monday to Friday you wrote nothing good about Police activities. Anything you like, go and write in the paper.

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