Hunger protest: No chance for criminality, Rivers police warn

The Rivers State Police Command has stated it will not tolerate any act of criminality during the hunger protest scheduled for August 1-10 against economic hardship.

The police also urged protesters to act lawfully and refrain from actions that could compromise public safety or infringe on the rights of others.

The command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, issued the warning in a statement in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Wednesday.

The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command has been closely monitoring the events surrounding the planned nationwide protests scheduled for August 1, 2024, and is prepared to act professionally in maintaining law and order during this period.

“The command acknowledges the constitutional right of citizens to gather and protest peacefully. However, we are wary of the potential for mischief-makers to exploit the opportunity of these planned protests to create chaos and civil unrest.

“The command commends those who have opted for alternate, lawful means of resolving the issues raised by the organisers, recognising the possibility of hoodlums hijacking the protests.”

The state police command, therefore, urged the organisers and protesters “to conduct themselves in a manner that does not compromise public safety and security or infringe on the rights of others,” adding that it will “firmly uphold the law and fulfil our constitutional duty to maintain order.”

Iringe-Koko further noted that the command would join forces with other security agencies in the state to “ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order before, during, and after the protests.”

“We have put in place measures to ensure a seamless operation, including the sensitisation and training of our officers, enhanced surveillance, improved patrol intensity, and the deployment of tactical units for crowd control, among other strategies.

“The command reiterates our commitment to respecting the rights of peaceful protesters and calls on the organisers to ensure that the protests remain lawful and orderly. We also charge everyone to act in the spirit of patriotism and civic responsibility.

“We urge all citizens to cooperate with the police and exercise their rights responsibly,” the statement read.

The command also warned that it would not “hesitate to take appropriate action to prevent any unlawful act or disruption to public order.”