December 16, (THEWILL) – The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) police command has confirmed the arrest of some protesters who took to the streets of Abuja on Wednesday to demonstrate against incessant killings, abductions and other crimes in northern Nigeria.
The placards-carrying protesters under the aegis of North/South Alliance and Take It Back Movement had converged in front of the Medical and Health Union Secretariat popularly known as Ayuba Wabba House located at Area 1 to call on the labour leaders to join in the campaign to demand an end to the senseless killings by bandits in the North.
But the protesters were rounded up at Area One roundabout by armed policemen when they were about to terminate the protest.
At least five protesters and two journalists from Roots TV, Tosin Busayo (cameraman) and Precious Uzoanya (reporter), who were covering the protest, were arrested.
However, the two journalists were later released after spending two hours at the FCT Police Command where they were subjected to interrogation and forced to preview their video clips.
Confirming the arrest, spokesperson of the FCT Command, DSP Josephine Adeh in a statement said the protesters, led by the Revolution Now conveyer, Omoyele Sowore, caused civil disturbance in the area, which resulted in a clash between opposing groups, hence the arrest of some of them.
“Consequent upon the above, The team on arrival, took control of the situation, dispersed the assembly and restored normalcy to the situation.
“Parties initially taken into custody for various reasons were profiled and some released unconditionally,” Adeh said.
She said the FCT Police Commissioner, Sunday Babaji, enjoined residents not to relent in cooperating with the police with prompt rendition of information.
The Command also implored residents to report all suspicious movements, emergencies or distresses.
