SAHARA REPORTERS
Nigeria police have denied reports that their personnel attacked some #FearlessInOctober protesters on Tuesday morning at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja during their protest against economic hardship and worsening poverty in the country.
Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer, FCT command in a statement on Tuesday, said the operatives only took measures to forestall some miscreants who were taking advantage of the protest to loot shops.
She said, “The FCT police command is aware of the reports making the rounds that policemen attacked protesters at Utako Market in Abuja earlier today, 1st October, 2024.
“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.
“As a responsible agency, we could not stand by and allow traders to be robbed of their hard-earned money and belongings without intervening.
“We therefore urge the populace to disregard such misleading and mischievous information, as the command is committed to ensuring the safety of the populace in the exercise of their civil rights.”
There have been reports of police attacks on some protesters who had gathered on Tuesday morning to join the #FearlessInOctober protest.
The policemen were seen shooting teargas canisters and ammunition at the protesters who were peacefully demonstrating against the economic hardship caused by the policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Videos emerged of the protesters scampering for safety in areas believed to be Jabi, in the Utako area of the FCT.
SaharaReporters observed earlier on Tuesday as protesters chanted “We are hungry” while marching.
Some of the banners they displayed read: ‘Bad Governance has ended the dreams of Nigerian youths, end it now’ and ‘Enough is Enough – Revolution Now.’
“We are buying fuel N1,000 and you expect us not to come out and protest. What are we saying – we are hungry,” one of the protesters said.
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