The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, says the organisers of the planned #EndBadGovernance nationwide protest failed to provide the information required by the police on the demonstration slated for August 1 to 10, 2024.
The IGP, who acknowledged the right of Nigerians to protest in the country, said the police in the last few days engaged with the leadership of the planned protest and directed them to submit to the respective State Commissioners of Police where they intend to carry out their protests, including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Egbetokun noted that organisers were also asked to provide the commencement and closing time during the day, the modus operandi of the protests, and all other information necessary to guide the police, as well as other members of the public.
He stated that this is a necessary measure in the interest of the organisers and those who may want to participate in the protest, noting that the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) equally owes the protesters a duty of protection.
The IGP, in a statement on Wednesday, July 31, said: “Regrettably, the organisers of the proposed protest have not deemed it necessary to supply the simple and basic information required by the Police, under the Constitution, the Police Act and all other enabling Laws in this regard.
“To this extent, the Nigeria Police still demands from the organisers of the proposed protest that they furnish it with the said essential information/details before the commencement of the protest.”
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Egbetokun added that the intelligence at the disposal of the police revealed that the protests were aimed at unleashing mayhem in the country, saying: “The name given to the movement – ‘Take It Back Movement’ has far-reaching undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal connotations.
“In the above circumstances, no responsible law enforcement agency in any part of the civilised or democratic world would fold its arms and watch a degeneration of the situation into a state of anomy.
“Accordingly, therefore, all Police formations across the country are hereby put on alert and directed to protect innocent lives and properties from attack, harassment, molestation or destruction.
“Furthermore, pursuant to the essential duties of the Nigeria Police under the Constitution, the Police Act and other enabling Laws, all officers and men of the Nigeria Police are hereby directed to act and deal decisively with any act of arson, intimidation or harassment of any citizen, threat to lives and properties, breach of public peace and any act of criminality that may arise or flow from the planned protest in any part of the country.
“Perpetrators of any crime will be arrested and promptly prosecuted.”
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