Bennett Igweh, the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has made a heartfelt appeal to residents and indigenes to avoid participating in the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1. The protest is in response to the ongoing economic challenges facing the country.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Monday, Commissioner Igweh emphasized the extensive measures the police have taken to ensure the safety and security of the FCT. He expressed concern that the planned protest could undermine these efforts and lead to chaos.
“I want to appeal specifically to the residents and indigenes and everybody in the FCT. Please, lions do not destroy their dens. You cannot see a lion who destroys its den. No, I would not like you to join this protest. I plead with you because we have worked hard to ensure your safety,” Igweh stated.
He highlighted the sacrifices made by the police force, noting that officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. “We have fought those people outside Abuja. We have been to Kaduna, Nasarawa, and Niger to fight criminals so that you can be safe. I have lost men. Last week alone in Gidango, I lost two policemen. The other day, I lost two more. Let our loss pay for the protest. I want to plead with you,” he added.
Commissioner Igweh urged residents to consider the improvements made by the government, particularly in infrastructure. “If you check, the government has provided good roads. Whether it’s from the minister of FCT or the president, check the streets in FCT, from Wuse to anywhere you can check, even in the hinterlands. They are trying their best. I don’t need to talk to anybody, but I’m saying it because we have been in the FCT. We know when there are changes. There are changes now in the FCT.”
He expressed a desire to prevent the city from returning to a state of disorder, cautioning against the influence of external agitators. “And we don’t want miscreants outside the FCT to come and start destroying them. We will go back to square one where we were before. I plead, I beg of you, do not join this protest,” Igweh reiterated.
