The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun on Friday rolled out measures to ensure that the planned nationwide protest by some Nigerians scheduled to commence on 1
August will not be hijacked by criminal elements of descend into violence.
Egbetokun who spoke to journalists in Abuja also warned Nigerians against participating in the protest as he alleged that intelligence had indicated that some foreign mercenaries have been brought in to exploit it for sinister motives.
He however acknowledged the right of Nigerians for peaceful protest.
As part of the moves to ensure that the protest is not hijacked, Egbetokun said all the groups behind the initiative must submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
Egbetokun said: “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.
Specifically, the police boss said to facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, the planners of the protests should please provide the following information:
1. The proposed protest routes and assembly points.
2. Expected duration of the protest.
3. Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.
4. Measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers. By providing this information, the police will be enabled to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.
5. Designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
6. Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
7. Minimise the risk of violence, property damage or other criminal activities.
In addition, the IGP urged all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”
He promised that police would be available to protect the protesters. However, he said the police have been monitoring the trends of discussion concerning the protests with some groups calling for violent protests to emulate recent events in Kenya while others are calling for peaceful demonstrations.
Egbetokun said the police are concerned about those advocating for violent protest.
“However, some individuals promote peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity. We have our history of violent protests in Nigeria, and I don’t believe we have to look to other countries to note the dangers of unchecked demonstrations.
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He also commended those who have indicated that they have withdrawn from the protest as he urged others to follow suit.
“We commend patriots who have withdrawn from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence.
“We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process.
“We confirm their fears are genuine as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest.
“The Nigeria police urge all Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group.”
We’ll not allow destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives – FCT Police
Meanwhile, the Federal Capiital Territory (FCT) Command said it will deploy 4, 200 officers to ensure public safety, protection of protesters and preventing protests from being hijacked by non-state actors.
This was announced in s atatement by FCT Police Public Relations Officers, SP Josephine Adeh issued on behalf of the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh on Friday.
“The FCT Police Command, in anticipation of the planned nationwide protest by some human rights activists and Nigerian youths to publicly express their displeasure over hunger and hardship, has proactively deployed material and human resources at the command’s disposal across the nooks and crannies of the nation’s capital.
“The proactive deployment, which is aimed at ensuring public safety, protection of protesters, and preventing protests from being hijacked by non-state actors, is characterised by visibility policing, the deployment of explosive ordinance devices (EOD) experts and personnel at various strategic locations, raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, stop and search, vehicular and foot patrol and synergy with sister security agencies.
“The CP vows to resist all forms of violent protest and lawlessness, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives.”
The police urged residents to be vigilant and take advantage of the police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.
