June 12: 800 civil defenders deploy to keep Kwara calm

More than 800 civil defenders have deployed to the streets of Kwara to keep peace during June 12 Democracy Day protests.

Spokesperson of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Kwara, Babawale Zaid Afolabi, said the officials are to beef up security around critical infrastructure and national assets.

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“NSCDC is also collaborating with other security agencies to secure security of lives and property in the heel of planned nationwide protest of the agitators.

“We appealed to the public to remain calm and go about their lawful activities without any fear and panic,” Afolabi added.

Majors streets—like Taiwo, Murtala, Post Office, Unity—in Ilorin stayed calm, correspondents in the city say.

Although there have been unconfirmed reports of possible protests despite the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students rejecting protests.

Most of the residents went about their normal activities, and some secondary school students were also seen in uniforms in schools preparing for a debate competition.

At at 12:30pm Saturday, sources spoke of a possible protest by the students’ body in Ilorin which has not been held before filing of this report.

On Friday, the security agencies held a ‘show of force’ parade in the state with over 40 vehicles meant to douse the tension and assured residents of their safety before, during and after the celebration

As at 9pm Friday, most of them were still seem on patrol around majors areas in the city blaring sirens.

Meanwhile, Kwara governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has congratulated Nigerians on the commemoration of another June 12 democracy day.

The governor said the country continues to grow on all fronts despite the challenges of nation building, population bulge, and national security and development.

“The growing public consciousness around issues of rights and development, the widening space and platforms through which public opinions are ventilated, and the increasingly responsive yet firm leadership underline the fact that we are moving. Even so, we must as a people strike a delicate balance between rights and responsibilities as citizens so that we can always have a country to call our own.

“As we mark another June 12, we should build a consensus around the indivisibility of the Nigerian state and make deliberate efforts, individually and collectively, to make it greater and more prosperous.”