The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has stated that it is poised and battle-ready to quell any insurgency in the state in the guise of protest.
The command’s spokesperson, Timfon John, told PUNCH Online in Uyo, the state capital, on Sunday that the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, has deployed operatives to strategic locations in the state to ensure that the protest does not take place, and that if it does, it does not devolve into anarchy.
She asked citizens of the state to carry out their daily duties without fear of molestation because enough security has been put in place to ensure their safety and protection.
“As regards the rumoured protest, the truth is that the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, has made the necessary deployments to that effect and the command is making sure that by the grace of God, there is no protest in Akwa Ibom State and if at all there will be, it’s going to be a peaceful one, where the hoodlums will not have the opportunity to hijack and make it violent to disrupt the peace and comfort being enjoyed in the state.
“We are ready, battle ready. We have tight security, and unlike the last protest, people should go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation because we have put in necessary security to ensure that the peace in the state is maintained,” John said.
According to organisers, the Independence Day protest, tagged #FearlessOctober1, is a continuation of the #Endbadgovernance protest, which took place from August 1 to 10.
