The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed claims that it shut down businesses in Abuja following the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, insisting that shops remain open and residents are free to go about their lawful activities.
Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, clarified that only protesters were restricted from accessing certain parts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in compliance with a subsisting court order.
Hundeyin, who spoke in an interview with BusinessDay on Monday in Abuja, said the police remain fully mobilised to maintain law and order should the protest extend beyond Monday.
“We are on ground. We have not wound down our security architecture. The deployment is still in full force. If it continues tomorrow, the day after tomorrow, or even the day after that, we are fully prepared.
“We will do everything possible to ensure Nigerians go about their lawful duties without any form of intimidation or harassment”, Hundeyin stated.
He dismissed reports that police operations had paralysed government activities in the Abuja Central Area, including around Eagle Square and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service, where several access roads were reportedly blocked.
According to him, the police did not shut down businesses but only enforced movement restrictions on protesters in line with the court order prohibiting demonstrations in certain locations.
“We did not lock any shops. People are free to open their shops and go about their duties.
“What we are saying is that protesters have no right to demonstrate in these areas because the court order has restricted them from doing that”, he said.
Read also: Police disperse #ReleaseNnamdiKanuNow protesters with tear gas in Abuja
The police spokesperson reiterated the Force’s appeal for calm and urged residents to continue their normal activities without fear, assuring that security agencies remain on alert to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The ongoing protest, calling for the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has led to heightened police and military presence across major routes in the FCT.
