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Police Declares Restriction of Protests in Abuja
The Nigerian police have announced a restriction on all protests in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to the Unity Fountain in the Central Business District of the city.
According to a statement by police spokesperson Frank Mba on Wednesday, the restriction is to promote security and other economic activities in the territory.
Intending protesters have been advised to stay away from the critical national infrastructure, especially the Three Arms Zone and other sensitive security areas.
The police did not say what law they are acting upon to limit protesters to a particular place within the Nigerian capital. The spokesperson, however, said it is “within the prerogative of the police to regulate activities of protesters who have the tendency to cause damage to life and property, particularly to innocent and non-protesting citizens.”
The police’ announcement is expected to infuriate activists who have argued that it is within the rights of any Nigerian to embark on a peaceful protest in public places. Also, a court of appeal ruling has said peaceful protesters need no police permit to embark on protests.
Read the full statement by the police below:
In furtherance of the efforts by the Police at ensuring safety and security of life and property, the free flow of traffic and the protection of commerce and other economic activities, as well as a more coordinated handling of peaceful protest, the Inspector-General of Police M.A. Adamu,NPM,mni has restricted all forms of protests within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to the Unity Fountain, Central Business District, Abuja.
By this directive, intending protesters are requested to steer-clear of all critical national infrastructure, especially the Three Arms Zone and other sensitive security areas.
They are however at liberty to assemble and conduct peaceful protests within the Unity Fountain (the authorized protest zone).
The restriction is sequel to series of protests, such as the one on 30th October, 2018 in various parts of Abuja, which brought the Capital City to a standstill, crumbling economic activities and inflicting untold hardship on motorists and the general public.
A similar protest during the same month led to the setting ablaze of a Police Patrol Vehicle at Banex Plaza, Abuja, traumatizing innocent citizens.
This year, on the 9th of July, another protest at the National Assembly, Abuja, led to an unprovoked attack on Police officers on legitimate national assignment, injuring nine (9) of them and causing massive damage to public and private property.
The Force is not unaware of the African Charter on Human Rights, which the Nigerian State has ratified and the Constitutional provisions relating to the fundamental human rights, particularly freedom of expression, right to peaceful assembly and freedom of movement.
It is important however to note that these rights are not absolute and are constitutionally moderated by the genuine concerns for public safety, public order and for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons.
Needless to state that it is within the prerogative of the Police to regulate activities of protesters who have the tendency to cause damage to life and property, particularly to innocent and non-protesting citizens, who also have equal right to exercise their freedom, unmolested by the protesting group.
It is against this backdrop that the IGP seeks the cooperation and understanding of would-be protesters and the general public. He reiterates his call for constructive collaboration between the citizens and the Police in enthroning a new culture of protests devoid of violence and damage to public and private property.
Premium Times
The Federal government has signed a $328.8 million contract with a Chinese firm – China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) – to rehabilitate and expand Nigeria’s electricity transmission network under Phase 1 of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI).
The agreement covers Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Financing (EPC+F) for the development of 330kV and 132kV transmission lines across the country, aimed at improving grid reliability and reducing stranded generation capacity.
The project will be coordinated by FGN Power Company, a special purpose vehicle established by the federal government to oversee implementation of the PPI.
The Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, speaking at the contract signing ceremony in Abuja, said the agreement would cover 544 kilometres of transmission lines with a load capacity of 7,140 megawatts, spanning both brownfield and greenfield sites.
He explained that these critical infrastructure projects would act as the main arteries for delivering increased power from midstream transmission directly to homes, businesses, and industries, helping to strengthen the country’s economy.
The minister described it as a vital step toward resolving persistent bottlenecks in Nigeria’s power value chain.
He emphasized that enhancing the transmission network is essential to ensure that generated electricity is delivered efficiently to end-users.
He noted that the signing of the agreement demonstrated the federal government’s commitment, under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, to providing stable and reliable electricity to Nigerians.
The Managing Director of FGN Power Company, Kenny Anuwe, described the partnership with China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC) as a strategic move to develop a robust transmission network capable of supporting increased generation capacity.
He explained that CMEC’s involvement complements the ongoing collaboration with Siemens Energy, which focuses on generation and high-voltage transmission technologies.
The Vice President of SINOMACH, Li Xiaoyu, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian government for its trust in CMEC, adding that the project would play a significant role in improving electricity delivery across the country.
The Retired Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas-led Rivers State Government has announced the appointment of Administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in the state.
The decision, approved by the Administrator also includes the reconstitution of some Boards of Agencies, Commissions, and Parastatals that had earlier been suspended.
According to the statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Professor Ibibia Worika, the appointments are to take effect from Monday, April 7, 2025.
The administrators for the 23 Local Government Areas of Rivers State include:
1. Mr Okroiyobi Animiete – Abua/Odual LGA
2. Mr Goodluck M. Ihenacho – Ahoada East LGA
3. Mr Promise Jacob – Ahoada West LGA
4. Dr Tamunotonye Peters – Akuku Toru LGA
5. Surveyor Atajit Francis – Andoni LGA
6. Barrister Ibiapuve Charles – Asari Toru LGA
7. Mr Kingsley N. Banigo – Bonny LGA
8. Dr Sokari Ibifuro Francis – Degema LGA
9. Dr Gloria Obo Dibiah – Eleme LGA
10. Barr Franklin P. Ajinwon – Emohua LGA
11. Dr Onyemachi S. Nwankwor – Etche LGA
12. Prof. Gospel G. Kpee – Gokana LGA
13. Mr Isaiah Christian Nobuawu – Ikwerre LGA
14. Dr Barinedum Nwibere – Khana LGA
15. Dr Clifford Ndu Walter – Obio Akpor LGA
16. Dr Chukwuma Aje – Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA
17. Eliel Owubokiri – Ogu/Bolo LGA
18. Mr Thompson Isodiki – Okrika LGA
19. Manager Ikechi Wala – Omuma LGA
20. Mr Fred Apiafi – Opobo /Nkoro LGA
21. Eletuuo Ihianacho – Oyigbo LGA
22. Dr Sam Kalagbor – Port Harcourt LGA
23. Mr Nuka O. S. Gbipah – Tai LGA
The following have also been appointed as Chairman and members of the Rivers State Electoral Commission:
1. Dr Micheal Ekpai Odey – Chairman
2. Mr Lezaasi Lenee Torbira – Member
3. Prof Author Nwafor – Member
4. Prof Godfrey Woke Mbgudiogha – Member
5. Prof Joyce Akaninwor – Member
6. Dr Olive A. Bruce – Member
7. .Prof Chidi Halliday – Member
This followed the judgment of the apex court, which declared the LG election conducted in the state on October 5, 2024, as invalid.
This development comes just hours after a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt scheduled April 14, 2025, to hear a suit filed by human rights lawyer, Courage Nsirimovu of Pilex Centre for Civic Education Initiative.
Nsirimovu is seeking to halt the appointment of LG Administrators in the state.
Justice Adamu Mohammed, presiding over the matter did not issue an explicit restraining order, instead directed that the Administrator of Rivers State be put on notice to appear and show cause why the request to stop the appointments should not be granted.
“I am of the view that it will serve the interest of justice to order the application to put the respondent on notice to appear and show cause why the application (to stop the appointment administrators in the 23 LGAs) should not be granted,” the judge stated.
Channels TV
Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, has vowed that those who financed the attacks against Tesla will go to prison.
Last month, multiple Tesla vehicles were set ablaze in Las Vegas.
Musk condemned the act, calling it an “evil attack.”
Eventually, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced charges against three people responsible for setting Tesla properties on fire in Las Vegas.
Bondi described the violent attacks on Tesla property as “nothing short of domestic terrorism.”
However, several weeks after the incident, Musk revealed in a tweet on X that those who financed the attacks against Tesla will go to jail.
“Those who financed the attacks against Tesla will go to prison,” Musk tweeted on Tuesday.
