Nigerian Police Commissioner Warns Against Nationwide Protest in Abuja

The Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Benneth Igweh, has appealed to residents of Abuja to avoid joining a planned nationwide protest against economic hardship. The protest, scheduled to take place soon, aims to bring attention to the economic challenges facing the country. However, Igweh believes that the protest could lead to the destruction of new infrastructure recently put in place by the FCT administration and President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking on Monday, Igweh emphasized the importance of preserving the newly built infrastructure, stating, “Lions do not destroy their den.” He acknowledged that the police have gone to great lengths to ensure the security of Abuja, including operations in neighboring states of Kaduna, Kogi, and Nasarawa. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the loss of officers, with two lost in the past week and one in the previous week.

Igweh expressed his concern that if the protest goes ahead, it could lead to the destruction of the newly built infrastructure, pushing the city back to a state it was in before the improvements. He implored residents to act maturely and appreciate the efforts of the police in ensuring their safety.

The police commissioner also paraded the mastermind of an armed robbery gang that killed retired Brigadier General Uwen Harold Udokwerre in Abuja on June 22, 2024.

It remains to be seen whether the residents of Abuja will heed Igweh’s warning and avoid joining the protest.