Reason Tuface, others shelve protest.

The Police High Command has pleaded with musician Tuface Idibia and others to shelve their planned protests for or against the Buhari administration, in the interest of peace and public order.
In a statement Friday night issued in Abuja, the police said they were in possession of ‘credible intelligence’ that some other groups are planning a counter protest or marches between 5 February and 6 February, the days the Tuface group has also planned to hold protests in some parts of the country.
The police statement appears to have countered the earlier position of the Commissioner in Lagos, Fatai Owoseni, who said the police and Tuface have reached an amicable solution about the protests: that there would be a protest at a designated place, but no street march.
“The attention of the Nigeria Police Force has been drawn to publications in the media on the planned protests slated for 5th and 6th February, 2017 in Lagos and other States by different groups, one to be led by the popular musician INNOCENT IDIBIA aka TUFACE and other opposing groups,” the police said in the statement signed by CSP Jimoh Moshood.
“Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned with the security implications with regard to the planned protest/demonstrations, and as the lead security agency in the country, is fully aware and recognizes the constitutional rights of every citizen (including Tuface and his group) to assemble and move freely in any part of the country.
“In this regard, the Force is also cognizant of its constitutional responsibilities of taking any proactive/ preventive security measures:-
* In the interest of public safety, public order, public morality or public health.
* For the purposes of protecting lives and property, as well as the constitutional rights and freedom of other citizens.
“The Nigeria Police Force is currently in possession of credible intelligence reports that other interest groups are equally planning to hold a counter protest/marches on the same days at the same places/cities as the Tu Face Group. If these various planned protests/ demonstrations are held as scheduled, that there may be breakdown of law and order, with attendant loss of lives and property.
“To this end, the Nigeria Police Force deems it imperative to issue this press release:-
*. That Innocent Idibia (a.k.a Tu Face) and his group are hereby advised strongly to shelve their planned peaceful protest/demonstration in the interest of peace and security.
*That the other opposing groups are equally advised strongly to shelve its planned counter protest/demonstration in the interest of peace and security.
* That the Nigeria Police Force is prepared to employ every possible legal means for the maintenance of law and order; and for the protection of lives and property.
“Consequently, members of the public, parents and guardians, religious/opinion leaders and other interest groups are strongly advised to prevail on their children and wards, followers and adherents not to allow themselves to be used by any group to cause disturbance of public peace and break down of law and order.”
Already, there are three distinct groups – #IStandWithBuhari, #IStandWithTuface and #IStandWithNigeria all planning to storm the streets in a popularity contest for or against the government beginning on Sunday.
The missions of the three groups are well stated. Popular music icon, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as Tuface, is leading #IStandWithTuface against the government and for good governance; #IStandWithBuhari, a group, which sponsors are yet to be unveiled, immediately launched a counter protest in support of the government; while a fairly unknown group, led by those who refuse to be bystanders in the emerging power show, is floating #IStandWithNigeria.