WATCH THE VIDEO HERE Ahead of the nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1, police authorities are requesting demonstrators’ details. During a briefing in Abuja on Friday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun asked all groups planning to participate in the demonstrations to submit their details to the commissioners of police in their respective states.
He stated that the request is to ensure the protest remains peaceful. “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest,” said the police chief. “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.”
To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, the IGP asked participants to provide information such as proposed protest routes and assembly points, expected duration of the protest, and names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers. He added that organizers should also outline measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements and provide key identifiers to help isolate potential troublemakers.
The IGP reiterated the police’s commitment to deploying adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, emphasizing the need to know specific protest routes and areas to avoid conflicts with other events or activities. He also released guidelines for protesters, urging them to establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any issues and minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activities.
“We encourage 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,” the IGP stated.
Planned Protest: IGP tells protesters to send names, location for protection
