Adegboruwa writes IGP, DSS, requests security protection for planned protest

In a letter dated today, July 26, 2024, the senior advocate, acting as legal representative for the Take It Back Movement, informed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) that the planned rallies are set to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024, or shortly thereafter.

He announced that the rallies will occur at Eagle Square in Abuja and various public locations across all 36 state capitals, as well as the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.

Adegboruwa emphasized the importance of the security agencies’ role during such events and urged their leaders to provide details about any officers or teams assigned to monitor the planned meetings, rallies, and processions, to streamline preparations and strategies.

This request follows warnings from security agencies and organizations regarding the anticipated protests.

Yesterday, the DSS issued a caution against the protests, claiming to have identified the event’s sponsors.

While acknowledging citizens’ right to protest, the DSS warned that certain groups intend to exploit the situation.

“The plotters aim to provoke violent outcomes to tarnish the image of the federal and sub-national governments, creating discord with the public,” stated DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya. “Their ultimate goal is to facilitate a regime change, particularly at the national level.”

On the same day, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, asserted that the capital city would not permit protests, and police deployed 4,200 personnel in advance of the demonstrations.

“The Police Commissioner is determined to combat any form of violent protest or lawlessness, and the police will not be swayed into allowing harm to public and private property or risking lives,” said Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for the FCT Police Command.

Urgent Measures

Calls for the demonstration, tagged the #EndBadGovernance protest, have gained traction on social media in response to the rising cost of living in Nigeria, prompted by the dual policies of fuel subsidy removal and the floating of the naira.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation has surged to 34 percent, making essential goods unaffordable for millions of Nigerians.

In a bid to avert the protests, President Bola Tinubu has been engaging with stakeholders, including traditional leaders, in last-minute efforts.

He is appealing to the organizers to be patient as his government addresses the nation’s challenges, assuring that the reforms initiated by his administration will yield positive results in the future.