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Benue CP warns youths against protest

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka, has warned the youths against protest in the state.

The warning is contained in a statement titled, ‘Benue Police Command Warns Against Protest At This Trying Time’ issued by the command spokesperson, Catherine Anene described the planned protest as a plan e sabotage efforts of the police to manage the ‘fragile security situation’ in the state.

CP Bartholomew Nnamdi Onyeka has described this as a plan to sabotage efforts of the police to manage the fragile security situation that is currently being handled.

” He further explained that a protest at this time would allow hoodlums and other criminal-minded persons to cause mayhem.

“The CP warns intending protesters to refrain from such actions as the environment is not conducive for a protest, the statement read in parts.

CP Onyeka also directed the Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) to tighten up security in their areas of responsibility and resist any efforts of protesters to encourage a breach of peace.

He also called on stakeholders, including Traditional rulers, Religious leaders, youth leaders and parents, to warn their children/ wards to desist from any form of protest at this sensitive time.

The police boss assured the people of his commitment to fight crime and enjoined the people to provide useful and timely information to the police.

It will be recalled that several people, including an Otukpo Divisional Police Officer and three police officers, were killed by suspected armed robbers who raided five banks in the ancient town of Otukpo last Friday.

Police have confirmed the death of two of the fleeing robbers after engaging security operatives in a gun duel along Otukpo/Taraku road.

Unconfirmed reports also indicated that four of the fleeing suspected armed robbers were later arrested.

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