The Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Joseph Mbu, on Wednesday warned that individuals or groups who embark on illegal procession in the state would be arrested and prosecuted.
Mbu gave the warning in Port Harcourt at a news conference called by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Jonathan Johnson.
Mbu said: “As from today, there will be no peaceful or violent procession without applying to the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State.
“Anybody who takes the law into his hand and comes out to protest will be arrested and prosecuted.
“The police will use minimum force to make sure that defaulters are picked and prosecuted.”
In his comments,the AIG defended the action taken by Mbu, who was accused of exempting counter-terrorism personnel from guard duties.
Johnson said the action was proper.
He said the personnel were not meant for guard duties.
“The unit is meant to tackle terrorism, so the commissioner decided to replace them with the Special Protection Unit,” Johnson said.