The Kwara State Police Command says it has banned unlawful protests, rallies and gathering in the State, saying the action was based on alleged plans by hoodlums to cause unrest in the State.
Spokesperson of the Command Ajayi Okasanmi said: “This order becomes inevitable owing to an intelligence report indicating that hoodlums have perfected plans to hijack any rally or procession and use the process to cause chaos and jeopardize the current fragile peace in the country and by extension, Kwara State.
“The Command understands that it is constitutional for the citizens to protest peacefully, however, in a situation where such a protest or rally could be hijacked putting the lives and property of the people and government at risk would not be acceptable.
This is a temporary ban to evaluate and access the security situation in the State.
“It is pertinent to also advise political party leaders to warn their supporters to desist from inciting and unguided statements on social, print and electronic media capable of inflaming crisis and heating of the polity.
“Consequently, aggressive patrols of the state and raids on criminal hideouts would continue as the command would do everything legally possible to ensure the safety and security of the people of the State.”
