The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has vehemently denied accusations of attacking protesters in Abuja on October 1, claiming instead that they took proactive measures to prevent looting.
Daily Report Nigeria reports that this comes despite social media videos showing police firing tear gas canisters at around 50 peaceful protesters near Utako market.
According to Police Public Relations Officer SP Josephine Adeh, the command acted on intelligence to prevent miscreants from taking advantage of the protest to loot shops.
The protests, dubbed the “National Day of Survival,” followed larger rallies in August that resulted in the deaths of at least 21 protesters at the hands of security forces.
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Notably, the demonstrations are a response to President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms, which critics argue have led to soaring inflation and living costs.
The police have urged the public to disregard “misleading and mischievous information” and assured their commitment to safeguarding lives and property.
Adeh said:
“The command wishes to categorically debunk the narrative, tagging it completely false and misleading.
“Acting on intelligence, the operatives only took measures to forestall some miscreants who were taking advantage of the protest to loot shops in the market and as a result, extended focus to them.”
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