Thousands of supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), in Nasarawa State have staged a peaceful protest in Lafia against the rising cases of political violence in the state.
The protesters called for a thorough investigation into the alleged attack on Vice President Kashim Shettima during his recent visit to the state.
Dr Aliyu Bello, the state APC chairman, who led the protesters through the Nasarawa State Police Command and the State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS), at Government House to register their grievances, explained that the idea behind the protest was a call for peace, unity and decent politics in the state.
While addressing security operatives, Dr. Bello expressed deep concerned to what he described as repeated and unprovoked attacks on APC supporters by members of the opposition.
His words, “We are here to convey a message of peace, a message of togetherness and a message of decent politics. We have witnessed a lot of attacks from the opposition side.”
According to him, the party had written several letters to security agencies, naming alleged suspects behind the attacks, but claimed no concrete action had been taken.
Recalling the killing of an APC supporter in Tudun Wada, Lafia, he said the party had obtained permission to hold its event, as evidence of the deteriorating political atmosphere in the state.
Dr. Bello described the attack on Vice President Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu during the presidential campaign rally in Lafia, as uncalled for, unacceptable and a grave assault on constituted authority.
“We came here to demand justice, that a full-scale investigation should be carried out and the perpetrators of this act should be arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
He accused supporters of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), governorship candidate and ex-IGP Mohammed Abubakar-Adamu, of inciting violence through provocative utterances.
Explained that one supporter of Adamu had openly threatened that any police officer who came to arrest them should be killed, yet the individual was still walking freely despite being taken to court and allegedly breaching his bail conditions.
The state APC chairman further alleged that Adamu and his wife enjoyed more security backing than the sitting governor, who is the Chief Security Officer of the state, and his wife.
While urging APC supporters to remain peaceful, orderly and committed to playing by the rules, Dr. Bello cautioned that the party would no longer fold its arms while its members were attacked.
“If we are pushed to the wall, we will have no option but to defend ourselves,” he concluded.
He called on the security agencies to discharge their constitutional duty of protecting lives and property without fear or favour
Responding, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Administration and Finance, Gaya Ahmed, assured the protesters of the neutrality of the police.
“The IGP has made it clear that the police are neutral, and we will continue to maintain that neutrality,” Ahmed stated.
He said all grievances properly channelled to the police would be investigated and anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of status.
“The Nasarawa State Police Command is not seeing anybody as above the law. We see all as the same; the complaints would be presented to the incoming Commissioner of Police,” he maintained.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Director, Administration of the DSS, stated that the Command had heard the grievances of the protesters and would communicate them to the appropriate quarters for necessary action.
Addressing the protesters, Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel Akabe, described the attack on Vice President Shettima as unfortunate and a disgrace to humanity, Nasarawa State and constituted authority.
“What happened on Wednesday was rather unfortunate; that citizens of the state can be associated with such kind of thuggery and misbehaviour by some of our youths is something that Nasarawa State is not known for,” Dr. Akabe stated.
He, however, explained that President Tinubu preaches peace every day because development cannot thrive in an atmosphere of instability, adding that Governor Sule had since 2019 committed heavily to security, making Nasarawa one of the most peaceful states in Nigeria.
According to him, the security personnel did their best during the attack on the Vice President, their best was not good enough, as they had been adequately briefed and were expected to prevent it.
“The responsibility of security men is to protect lives and property. If you cannot protect lives and property, then a lot needs to be answered,” he added.
He revealed that the State Emergency Security Council had already met, resolutions were taken, and the governor had taken action.
The deputy governor also hinted that the former Commissioner of Police, Jauro Shettima, had been promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police and posted out of the state, while a new Commissioner of Police was expected soon with a more positive and progressive agenda to ensure adequate protection for all residents.
Umar Muhammed
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