By Dotun Adebayo-
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) have banned all street demonstrations in response to a series of #EndSARS protests in the city due to police brutality.
This ban was promulgated in a statement by the FCTA’s Security committee on Thursday, after a meeting with various security personnel based in Abuja, and chaired by the FCT Minister, Muhammed Bello.
The statement on Thursday condemned “all subversive elements and troublemakers”, saying it “remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost”.
The Nigerian Army “is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively”, a spokesman said.
Army spokesman Col Sagir Musa said in a Facebook post: “The NA [Nigerian army] hereby warns all subversive elements and trouble makers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all cost.”
He went on to offer to “support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively”.
In the capital Abuja, authorities announced a ban on protesting on Thursday citing coronavirus restrictions after flag-waving demonstrators headed to the national assembly.
“The unruly conduct of the crowd and manner of demonstrations are in complete violation of the COVID-19 safety protocols,” the statement added.
Abuses
Demonstrators have been left seriously angry over excessive abuses by the police’s notorious Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) . Their anger sparked widespread demonstrations last week, forcing the government to scrap the unit and promise wider reforms.
Amnesty International said at least 10 people have been killed and hundreds injured in the face of “excessive force” by police.
Assault
Demonstrators have increasingly complained that plain clothes assailants have assaulted them and tried to disrupt the protests.
“Many were injured, phones, money and other personal possessions robbed.”
Amnesty International said “sponsored armed thugs have so far unleashed violence on peaceful protesters” in a string of locations.
”Nigerians are sceptical of authorities’ pledge to end police atrocities because the past claims of reforming SARS have turned out to be empty words,” said Osai Ojigho, the director of Amnesty International Nigeria.
“That police are still using excessive force on peaceful protesters – leading to injuries and deaths in Lagos, Ughelli, Abuja and Ogbomosho – throws through the window claims of any commitment to ending violations of human rights by Nigeria police,” he said
The governor of Lagoart of the statement reads, “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports on social media alleging that the government sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protests condemned the attacks on demonstrators and pledged law enforcement officers would protect them.
The Lagos State Government also rejected widespread allegations that it sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest on Thursday at Alausa, Ikeja.
An excerpt from the statement reads, “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports on social media alleging that the government sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest.
The Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) has demanded that all the police officers who participated in actions that led to injury or death of Nigerians be brought to justice. Promises like this are not so reassuring to the Nigerian public who are very sceptical of promises from the authorities.
Mohammed Buhari’s government are known to sometimes deliver strict disciplinary actions to offending parties, but trust levels are not very high in Abuja, Lagos or any of the main cities that police officers will be dealt with. Nigerians generally believe Covid-19 is being used as an excuse.