The police command in Yobe says the Boko Haram insurgents have planned to infiltrate the forthcoming protest in August.

The command’s spokesman, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday. He said intelligence received by the command indicated that foreign mercenaries were engaged to destroy lives and property at the protest.

He therefore, called on would-be protesters to exercise caution. “As Yobe state recovers from insurgency, the commissioner of police, CP Garba Ahmed, acknowledges citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly.

“While we alert citizens to sinister motives, even peaceful protests at this time may be ill-timed. Recent insurgency activities in Gujba LGA have raised concerns.

We are unprepared to face additional security challenges,” he said and warned that criminals trying to hide under the protest to destabilise the state would face the wrath of the law. According to Mr Abdulkarim, the protesters must indicate proposed protest routes and assembly points for a hitch-free protest.