The police command in Akwa Ibom has urged sponsors of the planned nationwide protest in the state to submit details of the exercise to the command for effective security arrangements.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, made the call in a statement by ASP Timfon John, the command’s public relations officer in Uyo, on Monday.

He said that it was important for the police to be aware of the routes and converge points for the protest.

Mr Ayilara said that the call was in line with the directive of the inspector-general of police, which mandated police commands across the country to endure adequate security during the protest.

“Furnishing the command with details about the protest will enable the police to make adequate security arrangements,” he said.

The commissioner of police cautioned the organisers and those planning to participate in the protest on the possibility of hoodlums hijacking the process.

“So the police system seeks to know the proposed assembling point and routes, expected duration of the protest, names and contact details of protest leaders, and measures to prevent hijacking of the process.

“The organisers of the protest are urged to cooperate with the police to ensure that the proposed protest is carried out peacefully and not hijacked by unscrupulous persons,” he said.

Mr Ayilara expressed the commitment of the command to ensure adequate security of lives and property during the protest.

(NAN)