The Rivers state government has banned the #EndSARS protest planned for Tuesday in Port Harcourt, the state capital, according to an official statement issued by the governor on Monday.
The statement signed by the state commissioner for information, Paulinus Nsirim, stated that the governor’s decision was anchored on the fact that the Inspector General of Police had already scrapped the Federal Anti-Robbery Squad (FSARS).
“The Rivers State Government hereby wish to inform the general public that all forms of protests have been banned throughout the State.
Therefore, all proposed protests under #EndSARS Campaign are hereby prohibited.
Government took this decision because the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, had already scrapped the Special Anti-Robbery Squad.
Therefore, there is no need for any form of protest against a Unit of the Police Force that no longer exists.” The statement read.
The governor said in his statement that he has ordered the law enforcement officers to enforce the ban and bring defaulters to book.
The protest had earlier been scheduled to kick-off from the Port Harcourt Pleasure Park and terminate at the Rivers state government house.
BBNaija housemate, Tacha had announced that she will be present at the protest via a tweet on her official Twitter account on Monday.
PORTHARCOURT PEACEFUL PROTEST 9AM Tomorrow, we Peacefully March to GOVERNMENT HOUSE✊🏾 If you know sey you go cause TROUBLE dey your house🗣️
Source: Tacha’s Facebook page
Organizers Say Protest Will go on
One of the organizers who spoke to REPORT AFRIQUE on condition of anonymity said they will go on with the protest despite the ban.
“Wike is not God. He has no constitutional rights to ban a protest. We will go on with our protest. Let him come with his policemen and kill all of us tomorrow” he said.
Nigerians React
Nigerians on the social media have reacted to the ban on protests by the Rivers state government describing it as autocratic. Amnesty International said the governor should be accountable for any violations of protesters rights during the protest.
See some of the reactions below:
Did Police Shoot protesters?
Protesters in Abuja, Osun state, Lagos and Delta states have been allegedly shot at with live ammunitions by the police.
Music Star Davido who led a protest on Sunday in Abuja, tweeted that many protesters were even arrested. A claim the police later refuted.
