Security agencies in Oyo State have embarked on joint show of force in Ibadan metropolis on Tuesday, ahead of the planned nationwide protest.
The security agencies comprised the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigerian Correctional Service (NCos), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Amotekun Corps.
The show of force, which began at the Police Command headquarters, Eleyele, took the security personnel to Mokola roundabout, Oyo State Government Secretariat, Agodi-Gate, Iwo Road, Bodija, and Challenge, among others.
Briefing newsmen on the reason for the exercise, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ayodele Sonubi, said that it was to create awareness to members of the public on the readiness of security personnel toward the planned protest.
Sonubi said that the exercise was also to ensure that the state remained peaceful, as it had always been, and to protect the lives and property of law abiding citizens before, during, and after the protest.
“It is not your right to coerce others to join the protest.
“Nobody, including the security agencies, have the right to stop peaceful protest. Our right is to protect peaceful protesters and their property.
“But the moment it turns violent, we have the right to lead and bring orderliness,” he said.
He added that the security agencies in the state were not averse to people venting their anger by way of peaceful protest, adding that they had the right to protest without infringing on the rights of others.
