Insecurity: Police Ban Protest By Benue Youths

By Akinwale Kasali

As the search for suspects involved in the Bloody Otukpo Bank Robbery in Benue State on Friday intensifies, the Benue State Police Command on Sunday, warned against any protest in any part of the state.

The Command stated that it gathered from intelligence report that some people were planning to stage a protest, and has warned sternly against any form of such protest.

Though the Benue Police Command did not state the reason for the planned protest, but it stated that any protest will not be condoned in the State, most especially at a time the State is going through insecurity challenges.

It would be recalled that the Bank Robbery incident saw Five Banks raided, and several people, including an Otukpo Divisional Police Officer, and three police officers were murdered by the armed robbers in their offices. Three Police women were shot dead in front of the Police Division, and the DPO shot dead, reportedly, in his office.

A statement titled, ‘Benue Police Command Warns Against Protest At This Trying Time’ issued by the Command spokesperson, Catherine Anene, described the planned protest as a plan to sabotage efforts of the police to manage the “fragile security situation” in the state.

The statement reads in parts: “The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP. Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka has described this as a plan to sabotage efforts of the police to manage the fragile security situation that is currently being handled.

“He further explained that a protest at this time would avail hoodlums and other criminal-minded persons an opportunity to cause mayhem.

“The CP warns intending protesters to refrain from such actions as the environment is not conducive for a protest.

The police boss has also directed the Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to tighten up security in their areas of responsibility and resist any efforts of protesters to encourage breach of peace.

He also called on stakeholders including; Traditional rulers, Religious leaders, youth leaders, and parents to warn their children/ wards to desist from any form of protest at this sensitive time.

CP Onyeka assured the people of of the state of his commitment to fight crime and enjoined the people to provide useful and timely information to the police.