N145 Fuel pump price: Police beef up security in Abuja, Nigeria
A Vanguard survey of the FCT showed that armed policemen drawn from the various units of the command were deployed to strategic institutions of government and locations in a bold bid to pre-empt the breakdown of law and order over the unplanned fuel price hike, which shook the nation on Wednesday.
The battle-ready police officers and men were drawn from the regular, combatant and counter terrorism units and spread across the FCT.
Vanguard counted many troops decked in their battle gear in all major road junctions and entrances of major hotels and government buildings in the capital city. Newly acquired armoured tanks fitted with modern communication gadgets, were put on display at the popular garden usually used by the ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ Movement for demonstration in front of the Transcorp Hilton Hotel and Millennium Park. A black coloured Ford Sports Utility Vehicle attack tank was also sighted at the entrance of the Transcorp while many of such vehicles manned by fierce-looking riot policemen, were used to block some other public squares.
None of the policemen on duty agreed to speak publicly on the sudden deployment of such a large number of men and equipment to the city without any threat from any known quarter. But a senior police officer, who pleaded anonymity, said that the police did not want to be taken unawares by elements trying to protest the fuel price hike announced by the Federal Government. “We have to take proactive measures to protect lives and property.
We don’t want hoodlums to cash in on any situation to cause mayhem in the city,” the officer said.
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