Report by Kamil Opeyemi
The Ogun State Police Command has raised alarm over what it described as a plot by some hoodlums to unleash mayhem in the state following the naira redesign by the Central Ban of Nigeria (CBN) and the fuel scarcity.
Following President Muhammadu Buhari’s nationwide broadcast on Thursday directing that only the old N200 remain in circulation while old N500 and N1,000 seize to be legal tender, some Nigerians have been rioting in some parts of the country with the latest happening in Sagamu, Ogun State on Monday.
The state’s PPRO, Abimbola Oyeyemi quoted the new CP in the State,Frank Mba to have raised the alarm during a confidence-building patrol conducted by the police and other security outfits in the state.
“Intelligence at the disposal of the Command indicates that some criminal elements are planning to take advantage of the challenging economic situation to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State.
“He therefore warned that the Police, will not fold its arms and allow persons with criminal intentions, to hide under any guise whatsoever, to unleash mayhem on residents, private and public property, and critical national infrastructure, including banks and offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC),” Oyeyemi quoted CP, Mba in a statement released on Monday
While reiterating the Command’s commitment to protect lives and property in the state, the CP commended residents of the state for their resilience and peaceful conduct in the face of the biting economic challenges, resulting from the new Naira policy and paucity of fuel supply in the State.
“The CP assured that necessary security architecture has been emplaced to protect the peace loving people of the State. He stated that the Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs), have been directed to arrest and bring to book, any person or group wanting to foment trouble and cause breach of peace in the State.
“To this end, the CP, while empathizing with residents, enjoined all parents and guardians, Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), political and religious leaders, amongst other critical stakeholders, to prevail on their children, wards and followers, not to resort to violence, as all necessary actions are being taken to further ease the pains of the people in this regard,” the statement added