The Federal Capital Territory Command of the Nigeria Police on Tuesday said it broke the second day of protest by a group led by maverick musician, Charles Oputa, because hoodlums had been allowed to become a part of the protest.
As reported earlier by The Eagle Online, Oputa, popularly known as Charlie Boy, and two Silverbird Television reporters, were injured in the melee that followed the release of teargas by the police.
The group, operating under the aegis of: #OurMumuDonDo, had protested on Monday without hindrance by the police.
They are demanding the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari in the even that he cannot return to the country immediately from the United Kingdom where he has been receiving treatment.
But in a statement, the police said: “The FCT Police Command in the early hours of today 8th August, 2017 intervened and prevented breakdown of law and order, and disturbance of public peace in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja by dispersing some miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements that have infiltrated the protest being carried out by a group of concerned Nigerians under the auspices of Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement at Unity Fountain, Maitama, Abuja.
“It will be recalled that ‘Our-Mumu-Don-do Movement’ carried out their protest on Monday 7th August, 2017 at the same venue and were accorded necessary Police presence to safe guard public safety and public peace, and protect their rights to freedom of expression, rights to peaceful Assembly and Association, and right to freedom of movement as provided for in sections 39, 40, and 41 of the 1999 constitution as amended.
“However, today 8th August, 2017 the same group assembled at the same venue but allowed miscreants, hoodlums and other unruly individuals to infiltrate the protests, who started blocking the major roads adjoining the Unity fountain, obstructing traffic and preventing movements of other innocent citizens from going to their means of livelihood, and thereby exhibiting unruly behaviours and other violent acts very likely to cause the breakdown of law and order and disturbance of public peace. The Police personnel intervened at the point that the concerned Nigerians Group lost control of the crowd and prevented miscreants, hoodlums and other criminal elements from hijacking the protest to cause mayhem and chaos.
“It is pertinent to state here that the FCT Police command is fully aware and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen including ‘Our Mumu Dondo group’ to assemble and move freely in any part of the Federal Capital Territory, but the command will not allow any protest under any guise to turn violent and jeopardise the prevailing peace, law and order currently being enjoyed in the FCT. The command wishes to assure all residents and visitors to the territory of adequate security and protection of lives and property of everyone including those who choose to express their constitutional rights of protest with decorum.
Consequently, members of the public, parents and guardians, religious/opinion leaders and other interest groups are advised to prevail on their children and wards, followers and adherents not to allow themselves to be used by any group to cause disturbance of public peace and break down of law and order.”
But the protesters have said no measure of intimidation will deter them.
In a statement in Abuja on Tuesday by its Special Assistant on Media and Public, Ezrel Tabiowo, the group said nobody could discourage or intimidate its members on the mission.
It also condemned reports credited to the Senate distancing itself from the protest.
The Senate had said on Tuesday that President Buhari had not violated any law by being away from the country for health reason for a long time.
In a statement by its spokesman, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, the Senate said the President had met his constitutional obligations as far as the issue was concerned.
It therefore, described the protest for the President’s return or resignation as unnecessary and instead, called for sustained prayer for him and the country.
But Oputa said in the group’s statement that the senate’s position was “ridiculous”.
He said: “I am disappointed in this country, but let it be known that no amount of intimidation on us by security agencies will deter us from demanding explanations from government.
“They must be accountable to Nigerians because they were elected into power by us, and on the basis that they will account for their actions.
“Also, to compound the mess Nigerians are in, it is disheartening for the Senate that ought to ask questions to be the very ones supporting such show of shame.
“They have failed Nigerians when most needed.”
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