The Kaduna State Police Command on Thursday disrupted a peaceful protest organised by Women Arise for Change Initiative, led by a civil rights activist, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin.
The rally was organised in conjunction with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) to demand for the unconditional release of the 200 abducted girls of Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok, Borno state.
However, the protest earlier scheduled to take off from the Murtala Mohammed Square to the state House of Assembly, was interrupted by heavily armed Policemen numbering over 200, led by the state Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Shehu.
All efforts by the NLC Vice President, Isa Aremu, to convince the Police to allow the protest go on in line with the constitutional provision of freedom of association and expression was resisted by the Police who said the decision (to stop the rally) was based on an existing order banning public protests and rallies as well as the security challenge in the state.
The commissioner allayed fear of the protest being hijacked by hoodlums which may lead to breach of the relative peace being enjoyed in the state.
While addressing the protesters within the Murtala Square, Dr. Odumakin insisted that the federal government should on no ground exchange the abducted girls for Boko Haram prisoners.
She expressed disappointment that the wicked act took place despite the declaration of state of emergency in Borno state, without the interruption of the nation’s security forces
She called on the federal government to rescue the girls and also make adequate efforts to compensate them and their families for the emotional trauma the incident has caused them and the nation.
