By Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Kwara state Police Command has lifted the ban on rallies and processions it had imposed in the state, saying “all necessary security arrangements have been put in place across the state to forestall any security breach, now, during, and after the general elections.”

It would be recalled that the Command had on February 8 placed “a temporary ban on public rallies, processions in the state, citing an intelligence report at the Command’s disposal indicating that hoodlums have perfected plans to hijack any rally or procession and use it to cause chaos thereby jeopardising the current fragile peace in the country and Kwara state in particular.”

The lifting of the ban was contained in a statement by the Command’s spokesman, SP Okasanmi Ajayi on Saturday in Ilorin.

“The Commissioner of Police, Kwara State Police Command, CP Paul Odama, psc (+), wishes to appreciate the good people of Kwara State for their determination to work with security agencies to deepen the peace and harmony Kwara State is known for, regardless of the inconveniences attached thereto.

“This press release is to inform the public that their cooperation and strict compliance with the order of temporarily banning rallies and processions in the state has helped the command in quickly preventing criminal elements from taking advantage of the fuel and Naira note swap challenges.

“Consequently, the Command wishes to lift the imposed ban on rallies and processions in the state as all necessary security arrangements have been put in place across the state to forestall any security breach, now, during, and after the general elections.

“However, the Command is fully ready to continue to discharge her constitutionally assigned duty of protecting the lives and property of citizens and residents alike,” the statement said.

End