The Kaduna State Police Command has explained that its intervention during an African Democratic Congress (ADC) rally in Kaduna on Wednesday was prompted by a security situation and traffic obstruction, not an attempt to stop political activities.
The Command said it respects citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association.
The ADC had alleged that some of its members were attacked during a rally organised by the Arise & Shine Isa Ashiru Support Group to mark the flag-off of the governorship and State House of Assembly campaigns in the state.
In a statement on Thursday, the Command’s spokesman, DSP Mansir Hassan, said the police had never attempted to stop any lawful political gathering or peaceful assembly.
Hassan said the police received a distress call on September 9 from security personnel attached to Murtala Square that some unknown persons were attempting to forcefully gain entry into the premises.
“Upon receipt of the report, police personnel were immediately deployed to the location to prevent any breach of security and to maintain public order,” he said.
According to him, the police found a large group of people carrying banners bearing the acronym ADC and advised them that anyone intending to hold an event or gain access to Murtala Square was required to follow due process and obtain the necessary authorisation from the management.
Hassan said the police later withdrew after the situation appeared to have been brought under control.
He said the group subsequently moved along WAFF Road towards NEPA Roundabout on Ahmadu Bello Way, where it blocked the road and caused severe traffic congestion.
He added that the obstruction led to agitation and confrontation among members of the group, cyclists and motorists, resulting in a breakdown of public order.
The police spokesman said officers intervened to restore normalcy and prevent further escalation, using “minimal and proportionate force, including tear gas”, to disperse the crowd.
The Command said peaceful assembly and expression were constitutionally protected but must be exercised responsibly and within the law.
“The Kaduna State Police Command wishes to reiterate that it respects the constitutional rights of citizens to peaceful assembly and expression. However, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the ambit of the law, without obstructing major public roads, threatening public safety or infringing on the rights of other citizens,” it said.
The police urged the public to disregard what it described as misleading narratives about the incident and rely on verified information from the Command.
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