Police ban rallies, unlawful processions in Kwara

By Mosunmola Ayobami, Ilorin

Kwara State Police Command has announced a temporary ban on any form of gathering in the state.

This was contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Ajayi Okasanmi in Ilorin on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the order becomes inevitable as a result of intelligence report indicating that hoodlums have perfected plans to hijack any rally or procession and use the process to cause chaos and jeopardize the current fragile peace in the country and by extension, Kwara State

“The command wishes to inform the public of the ban on any form of unlawful protest, rally, or gathering in Kwara State. 

“The Commissioner of Police of Kwara State, Paul Odama, who understands that it is constitutional for the citizens to protest peacefully, however, in a situation where such a protest or rally could be hijacked putting the lives and property of the people and government at risk would not be acceptable.

“This is a temporary ban to evaluate and access the security situation in the state.

“It is pertinent to also advise political party leaders to warn their supporters to desist from inciting and unguided statements on social, print and electronic media capable of inflaming crisis and heating of the polity.

“Consequently, aggressive patrols of the state and raids on criminal hideouts would continue as the command would do everything legally possible to ensure the safety and security of the good people of Kwara State,” the statement said.