Policing a Peaceful Protest in Riotous Circumstances

By Alfred Mangai Adams

Do we even have a riot police squad in Nigeria? I mean an organized, well equipped, well trained and highly professional riot police that can handle any kind of spontaneous and irrational action, be it a violent protest or a riot.

The manner in which the Nigeria Police force has been responding to the hashtag End Bad Governance protests especially in cities where it turned violent like the FCT, Bauchi, Gombe, Kano and the likes is a bit worrisome. At the slightest resistance by protesters, the police begin to fire teargas, and before you know it, this is followed by live bullets oftentimes leaving casualties on the side of the protesters.

But what is the global best practice for crowd control in a protest situation?

Depending on the seriousness of the situation, the police can start with actions that cause people to stop and think for a moment (e.g., loud noises or issuing instructions in a calm tone)

This can be enough to stop it. However, these methods usually fail when there is severe anger with a legitimate cause. Riot control personnel have long used less lethal weapons such as batons and whips to disperse crowds and detain rioters. Since the 1980s, riot control officers have also used tear gas, pepper spray, rubber bullets, stun grenades, and electric tasers. In some cases, riot squads may also use water cannons, armoured fighting vehicles, aerial surveillance, police dogs or mounted troupes (police on horses).

Although the Inspector General of Police has already declared a red alert, i believe the police can start by reviewing the threat level on a daily basis and then raise or lower it as the situation is warranted.

This will determine the level of force they can deploy to control the protest. In the past few days of this protest, we have seen more of AK 47 wielding policeman than water cannons or batons on protest grounds. I've not sighted a single police dog or horse at any protest ground.

It would appear the modus operandi of the police is the use of maximum force against the protesters. This would then trigger the protesters and end up turning the protest violent.

Peaceful protesters must be treated with decorum if we must be seen as a serious democracy while appropriate measures are also taken against those vandalising and looting public and private property.