Protests turning violent , we’re becoming overwhelmed – FCT Police

The Police have said their operatives are being overwhelmed as the ongoing protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) organized to protest against hardship in the country is becoming increasingly violent.

 

Spokesperson for the FCT Police Command, Josephine Adeh, said operatives of the Command are becoming over whelmed as protesters are coming from different locations and becoming violent.

 

She said the police operatives are now finding it difficult to control the protesters.

 

She said the protesters were coming out from different locations against the earlier order, restricting the protest to Moshood Abiola Stadium.

 

“The protesters are coming out from different locations and are becoming violent.

 

“We are trying to curtail them but currently, they are being very violent,” she said.

 

She had earlier said the command was in control of the protest.

 

She said the protesters moving to the Eagle Square against the initial restriction of the protest to Moshood Abiola Stadium brought about the violence.

 

Earlier reports indicated that police shoot teargas at protesters to keep them off Eagle Square.

 

 

A Civil Society group, United Action Front of Civil Society had in a statement said three peaceful protesters tear-gassed by the police fainted in Abuja.

 

Wale Okunniyi, in a statement claimed that pro-government protesters forced anti-hunger protesters out of the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, the venue designated by the government.

 

“The anti-hunger protesters sensing danger and possible violent clash, decided to quietly move in peaceful procession to the Eagle Square, where they had earlier designated to hold their peaceful protest.

 

“On getting to the Eagle Square, security agents swooped on them and unleashed mayhem on peaceful protesters with tear gas canisters, injuring several unarmed and defenceless protesters with three protesters reported to have fainted.”