The FCT Police Command and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have deployed 30,000 personnel to beef up security in the territory before, during and after the strike.
The deployment, followed the resolve of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) to go ahead with the planned strike in spite of Friday’s court’s order restraining them.
The two security agencies made this known on Saturday.
On his part, Mr Michael Zuokumor, the Police Commissioner in charge of the FCT, told newsmen that the police was deploying 15,000 officers and men to monitor misconduct that could lead to breach of peace during the protest.
Zuokumor said that the personnel were under strict instruction to be “professional, polite and friendly in disposition’’ while monitoring the strike.
He, however, warned that any act that could lead to breach of peace, chaos and cause destruction of live and property would not be tolerated.
The commissioner urged those taking part in the exercise to abide by the law and make it peaceful.
“Freedom of expression, one of the essentials of democracy must be expressed with decorum and in a manner that will not violate the rights of other Nigerians as enshrined in the constitution.
“Though the security personnel are under strict instruction to exhibit high level professionalism, politeness, friendly disposition while monitoring the protest, any act demonstrated with the aim of causing breach of peace will not be tolerated anywhere in the territory.
“The full force of the law will be applied on miscreants, mischief makers and hoodlums who might want to hijack the protest to unleash confusion before, during or after the protest,’’ he said.
Similarly, a statement signed by Mr Emmanuel Okey, the NSCDC’s Public Relations Officer,
quoted Dr. Ade Abolurin, the Commandant General of the NSCDC, as ordering the deployment of 15, 000 personnel to monitor the strike.
“The deployment is in line with the prevailing situation as regards the State of the Nation and the agitation against the recent government policy on fuel subsidy removal.
“Intelligence report has shown that unguided utterances and actions of some disgruntled persons over the issue of subsidy are capable of instigating the populace,’’ the statement stated.
It further quoted Abolurin as having charged the zonal commanders and state commandants to deploy personnel to protect public infrastructure and utilities.
Abolurin also charged them to collaborate with other agencies to check terrorism and social vices.
The commandant-general urged the officers and men of NSCDC to exhibit tolerance, humility and understanding while interacting with the protesters.