The security committee of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja has placed a ban all protests within the FCT due to coronavirus.
Nigerians have been protesting nationwide for over a week for the scrapping of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the Nigeria Police Force, a unit with a long history of abuse of power.
In a statement released by the FCT administration on Thursday, October 15, 2020, the security committee decided at its October 13 meeting that the protests are in violation of safety rules.
The committee alleged that the peaceful protesters have been behaving in an unruly manner, and caused inconveniences to others in the capital city.
The committee also alleged that the protesters have failed to comply with COVID-19 guidelines regulating public gatherings.
The committee’s meeting, presided over by FCT Minister, Muhammad Bello, resolved that the ongoing protests endanger the lives of everyone in the capital city.
“All street demonstrations, protests, and processions will not be allowed anywhere within the FCT,” the statement read.