By Joy Salami
Ahead of the planned nationwide protest on October 1st by some group of persons, the Kogi State Command of the Nigeria Police, has cautioned the organisers to reconsider the move and give government more time to fix the economy of the nation.
While acknowledging the challenges staring the masses in the face, the police noted that government has demonstrated commitment to cushioning the effects of the hardship while emphasising the importance of considering the broader implications of such actions.
In a statement issued Police Public Relations Officer,Kogi State Command,Lokoja, SP William Ovye Aya, revealed that the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Police Command, CP Bethrand Onuoha, gave the charge when he engaged with Executives of “Take It Back Movement” Kogi state chapter.
The statement further stated that the CP initiated the interactive session with the group in response to a letter received from them.
While acknowledging that the group has right to engage in peaceful protest in accordance with extant Laws, he urged them to “avoid playing into the hands of disgruntled elements and or hoodlums and to avoid or prevent them from highjacking the process and unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens, destruction of their properties as well as damage of critical infrastructure which will inturn have serious adverse/negative impact on the Nation’s economy”.
Responding, leader of the Group assured the CP that as enlightened and law-abiding Youths in Kogi State, they accepted his advise as a father and promised to remain committed to the peace, progress and development of the State. He further stated that the Executives and members of the group will meet to deliberate on all the issues raised by the CP and come up with a reasonable resolution regarding their participation in the so-called protest.
He, on behalf of the group commended the CP for the constructive engagement which has gone alone way to enlighten them on their responsibilities as Youths who are Leaders of tomorrow and vanguard for development.
Present at the Meeting include DCP Chike Louis Nwabuwa, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations and his Assistant, ACP Aigbe Aghahowa, SP William Ovye Aya, PPRO, SP Emmanuel Abogonye, 2ic SID/OC Monitoring Unit, DSP Christopher Okoebor, PA to CP.
While members of the Group include Mose Opeyemi, Coordinator, Oloruntoba Segun, Muhammed Abdul, Ande Joel, Michael John, Musa Matthew, Usman Alfa, Mohammed Usman Ahmed, Ibrahim Shaibu, and Adama Shaibu.
