Police Ban Protests, Rallies In Imo pending Supreme Court verdict

A foiled plan to hijack protests and rallies has led the Imo State Police command to place a ban on protests and rallies in the state, according to reports.

The police claimed that the ban was necessary following the plan by some hoodlums to hide under the guise of protests and rallies to cause mayhem, Channels TV reported.

“It has come to the notice of the Imo State Police Command that some hoodlums are planning to hide under the protests/rallies as witnessed in the last few weeks to cause mayhem in the state.

“In view of the above, therefore, the command wishes to inform the general public that all protests/rallies of any kind are hereby banned forthwith especially as affects the Supreme Court ruling of 14th January 2020,” the statement, which is signed by the police spokesperson for the Commissioner of Police, Ikeokwu Orlando read.

The police urged both parties to remain calm pending the outcome of the review by the Supreme Court, which has acknowledged an application for the review of the judgment and as such fixed a date for the review.

“Furthermore, the command wishes to commend all the groups for the peaceful manner they conducted their protests in the past few weeks, but wish to advise all the groups to stop any further protests/rallies, either in support or against the said supreme court judgment.

“This is to ensure that such protest is not hijacked and used to cause chaos, anarchy or breach of the Public Peace,” Orlando added in the statement.

The police, however, advised residents to go about their lawful businesses as the police are still in the business of protecting the lives and properties of all.

Channels TV