The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has warned those planning to stage a nationwide protest on August 1 not to attack any police formations in the country.
Its national chairman, Alhaji Magaji Ibrahim, gave the warning in an interview with journalists on his visit to Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Thursday in Makurdi.
Mr Ibrahim said that the PCRC had over the years invested in building a formidable Police Force, noting that it would not fold its arms and allow a few individuals to destroy it.
“History has it that policemen and formations are usually the first targets during protests, and so we will resist any attempt to attack any police formation in Nigeria,” he said.
The chairman, however, appealed to those planning to stage the protest to give the federal government more time to improve the nation’s staggering economy.
“I want to appeal to Nigerians, particularly the youth, to rethink the proposed nationwide protest. Our President and his team are doing everything possible to better the lot of the people; let’s give him the benefit of the doubt,” he appealed.
Mr Ibrahim said that he was in Benue to sensitise members of the public on the need to support the PCRC in restoring peace and order in all parts of the country.
The chairman, who commended Mr Alia’s commitment to peace and security in Benue, added that he was also in the state to conduct elections into various offices for the North-Central zone.
Earlier, Me Alia, represented by his deputy, Sam Ode, advised Benue youths to shun the proposed protest. He particularly warned against allowing criminal elements to take advantage of the protest and ignite trouble capable of breaching the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
The governor also appealed to Nigerians to be patient, adding that President Bola Tinubu had put in place measures aimed at reviving all critical sectors of the economy.
He called on Benue residents to support the state government in its bid to deliver the dividends of democracy to all.
