Police Ban Protests In Nasarawa

The Nasarawa State Police Command has issued a statewide ban on all forms of public demonstrations.

DSP Ramhan Nansel, the police spokesperson in the state, made this announcement in a statement on Sunday, noting that the decision was taken to maintain the tranquility currently enjoyed in the region and prevent any disorder.

Nansel revealed that the police command intelligence report revealed that the security situation in the state could no longer accommodate any protests or public rallies.

In light of this, the police authority had taken the step of outlawing any such gatherings throughout the state.

To this end, the police urged all parents and guardians to ensure that their children and wards do not flout the ban. They warned that anyone found to be violating the order would be promptly arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The statement reads, “The Nasarawa State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that all forms of protest have been banned throughout the state.

"Therefore, all proposed protests under any guise are hereby prohibited.

“The police command took this decision in order to prevent the breakdown of law and order and to sustain the peace currently being enjoyed in the state; as the intelligent report on security can no longer sustain any form of protest in the state.

“Consequently, parents and guardians are advised to ensure their children and wards do not violate this order as anyone caught shall be arrested and prosecuted accordingly.”

The police command's decision comes amid the governorship election in the state where the incumbent governor, Abdullahi Sule, emerged as the winner, supporters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) including women and youths have been protesting and calling for a review of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).