IGP Egbetokun Orders Commanders To Prevent Anarchy Ahead Of Nationwide Protest

IGP Egbetokun Orders Commanders To Prevent Anarchy Ahead Of Nationwide Protest

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed commanders of Tactical Squads to take charge of their areas of operations to prevent violence and anarchy ahead of a planned nationwide protest. This directive comes after the protest organizers confirmed their intention to proceed despite government and community appeals.

Addressing commanders from the Police Mobile Force’s Counter Terrorism Unit and Special Protection Unit in Abuja on Saturday, Egbetokun emphasized that while citizens have the right to peaceful protest, this right must not infringe on the rights of others. He also stressed the importance of maintaining professionalism and restraint among officers in the face of potential provocations.

In a previous statement, Egbetokun requested demonstrators to submit their details to the police. He reiterated this during a briefing in Abuja on Friday, asking all groups planning to participate in the demonstrations to submit their details to the commissioners of police in their respective states. The requested details include proposed protest routes, assembly points, expected duration, and contact information of protest leaders and organizers.

The IGP explained that this information is crucial to ensure the protests remain peaceful and to prevent hijacking by criminal elements. He added that the police are committed to deploying adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety and avoid conflicts with other events or activities.

“We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest,” Egbetokun said. “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.”

The IGP also released guidelines for protesters, including the establishment of clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns, minimizing the risk of violence and property damage, and adherence to global best practices for peaceful assembly.

“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,” Egbetokun added.