Nigeria Police High Command has attributed the deployment of its personnel to the headquarters of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in Abuja, to intelligence report at its disposal. The PDP had been enmeshed in intra-party squabbles culminating in the holding of two parallel conventions at the weekend.
According to Force Public Relations Officer, Olabisi Kolawole, some aggrieved factional leaders and members of the party have perfected plans to engage thugs from across the country to join them in threatening public peace and security in Abuja.
She said this is sequel to the on-going leadership crisis in the party and further fallout of the recent political engagements of the Party.
“The plan of the brains behind this development is to infiltrate Abuja and attack the National Headquarters of the Peoples’ Democratic Party with intent to forcefully occupy the facility. Towards perfecting this criminality, credible Police sources confirm that the actors will mobilise into Abuja with effect from Monday 23rd May 2016 and they intend to march through major streets in Abuja before proceeding to the PDP Secretariat to manifest their intention.
“Consequently, the Inspector-General of Police has directed the deployment of Police assets to secure the PDP Secretariat and protect the staff until the threat to internal security that is being occasioned by the intra-party crisis within the PDP is stabilised.
“The police action is a proactive initiative which is being emplaced in furtherance to the statutory Mandate of the Nigeria Police to prevent breakdown in law and order and protect lives and property.
“The Inspector General of Police, however, warns all actors in the crisis as well as their loyalists to refrain from any act that may threaten public order as the Police shall deal promptly, firmly and decisively with such persons or group in line with their legal obligations,” Olabisi said.
