05 January 2012, Sweetcrude, KADUNA – Police in Nigeria’s northern state of Kaduna have warned intending protesters over the recent fuel price hike not to breach the peace.
A statement by Ballah Magaji Nasarawa, the state commissioner of Police, said: “Any person or group of persons who attempt to disrupt the peace or cause mischief under whatever pretext will be arrested and prosecuted.”
It continued: “The Kaduna State Police Command wishes to appreciate the peaceful and lawful conduct of residents of Kaduna State since the announcement of the removal of oil subsidy. The command, in liason with other security agencies, will continue to do its best in providing a conducive environment for public to go about their lawful business.
“All hands should in fact be on deck to consolidate the peace that state has been enjoying after the April 2011 presidential election crisis and it will be most inappropriate to set back the hands of the clock.
“Absolute peace is necessary to restore confidence in the victims or their relations and for the rebuilding of damaged property. The state is the home of people of diverse origins and creed to the admiration of many and there is the need to sustain this.
“The Command appreciates the constitutional or fundamental rights of people to peacefully assemble or engage in lawful processions, but this will invariably be negated if it is not reasonably exercised in the light of the peculiar circumstances in the state.
“I want to reiterate that fact that the police is empowered by law to protect lifes and property and we will not shirk from this responsibility. Consequently, any person or group of persons who attempt to disrupt the peace or cause mischief under whatever pretext will be arrested and prosecuted.
“We are therefore appealing to parents or guardians to monitor their children or wards so that they will not be used by intending mischief makers. Inciting, provocative and inflammatory statements by some groups and individuals under various guises will, no doubt be counter-productive in the state and its residents should be completely disregarded in the interest of peace, industrial; harmony and security.”
