The Kaduna State Police Command has explained why its officers dispersed supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a gathering in Kaduna State.
The Command said the intervention followed a distress call from security personnel attached to Murtala Square, who reported that a group was attempting to force its way into the premises.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, officers were promptly deployed to the location to prevent a possible security breach and maintain public order.
Hassan, in a statement, said officers who arrived at the scene found a large crowd carrying banners bearing the acronym “ADC”.
He said the group was informed that anyone seeking access to Murtala Square or intending to organise an event there was required to obtain the necessary authorisation from the facility’s management.
The police subsequently withdrew after the situation appeared to have calmed.
However, Hassan said the group later moved along WAFF Road towards NEPA Roundabout on Ahmadu Bello Way, a major commercial route in the Kaduna metropolis.
He said the protesters allegedly blocked the road, causing serious traffic congestion and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill.
“Protesters blocked the roadway, resulting in severe traffic congestion and bringing vehicular movement to a standstill,” Hassan said.
The disruption, he explained, created frustration among protesters, cyclists and motorists and eventually led to agitation, confrontation and a breakdown of public order.
He said officers were then forced to intervene to restore normalcy and prevent the situation from escalating further.
According to the PPRO, the police deployed minimal and proportionate force, including tear gas, to disperse the crowd.
The Command, however, denied attempting to suppress political activities in the state, stressing that citizens remained free to express their views and assemble peacefully.
Hassan said the police respected the constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association, but noted that such rights must be exercised within the law.
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He warned that political gatherings should not result in the obstruction of major roads, threats to public safety or violations of the rights of other citizens.
The PPRO also maintained that the police had not attempted to stop any lawful political gathering or peaceful assembly.
He described the incident as a security and public-order situation at Murtala Square, rather than an attempt to prevent ADC supporters from exercising their political rights.