Kaduna Tension: Police Give Fresh Explanation For Dispersal Of ADC Supporters

The Kaduna State Police Command has explained why its officers dispersed supporters of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during a gathering in the state, saying the intervention followed a distress call over an alleged attempt by some individuals to force their way into Murtala Square.

In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Mansir Hassan, the police said security personnel attached to the facility alerted them after noticing a group of people allegedly attempting to gain access to the premises without the necessary authorisation.

According to Bush Radio Academy, police officers were subsequently deployed to Murtala Square to prevent a possible breach of security and maintain public order. Hassan said officers who arrived at the scene observed a large gathering carrying banners bearing the ADC acronym and advised the group to follow the required procedures and obtain permission from the management of the facility before holding any event there.

The police spokesperson said officers later withdrew after the situation appeared to have calmed down. However, he explained that the group subsequently moved to WAFF Road towards the NEPA Roundabout along Ahmadu Bello Way, where the gathering allegedly resulted in the obstruction of traffic.

Hassan said the blockage caused significant congestion and brought vehicular movement to a standstill, leading to growing frustration among motorists, cyclists and members of the group. He added that the situation reportedly became increasingly tense, with agitation and confrontation threatening to disrupt public order.

According to the Command, officers intervened to restore normalcy and prevent the situation from escalating further. Hassan said tear gas was deployed as part of what he described as minimal and proportionate force to disperse the crowd and reopen the major road.

The police stressed that the Command recognises and respects citizens’ constitutional rights to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association. However, Hassan maintained that such rights must be exercised within the law and without obstructing major roads, threatening public safety or infringing on the rights of other citizens.

He also dismissed suggestions that the police intervention was aimed at preventing political activities by the ADC, insisting that the Command had not sought to stop any lawful political gathering or peaceful assembly.

Hassan maintained that the incident was treated as a security and public-order situation arising from events at Murtala Square and the subsequent obstruction of a major road, rather than an attempt to restrict political expression or association. The Command urged political groups and other members of the public to comply with established procedures when organising gatherings in order to avoid security concerns and disruption of public activities.