- The FCT police instructed journalists covering protests to wear attire identifying their media organization to avoid being mistaken for protesters
- Police dispersed protesters at Moshood Abiola Stadium, with masked DSS operatives present, and arrested those on the ground while shooting at protesters and journalists
The FCT police command has instructed journalists covering the ongoing nationwide protests against economic hardship to wear attire identifying their respective media organizations to avoid being mistaken for protesters.
On Saturday, the third day of demonstrations, protesters in Abuja gathered at Moshood Abiola Stadium with flags and placards. However, police at the stadium fired into the air, released tear gas and dispersed the protesters.
Masked Department of State Services (DSS) operatives were also present at the stadium in seven vehicles. As police arrested those on the ground, other operatives shot at protesters and journalists, forcing them to run for cover. Bullets even pierced a car transporting journalists away from the location.
SP Josephine Adeh, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, issued a brief statement on Sunday night. She said the commissioner of police, CP Benneth Igweh, directed her to inform journalists covering the protests to bring a valid means of identification and to wear attire that clearly shows their affiliation with media organizations.
“The Commissioner of Police FCT Command directed me to inform all pressmen who intend to cover the ongoing national protests to adequately dress in the attire of their respective media organizations and also bring along a valid means of identification,” the statement read.