IGP Under Pressure, Commands DIGs And CPs To Protect Protesters Across The Country

IGP Under Pressure, Commands DIGs And CPs To Protect Protesters Across The Country

On Monday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun yielded to pressure and instructed senior police officials to ensure the protection of participants in the #EndBadGovernance protest scheduled from August 1 to 10, 2024.

Previously, the IGP had requested the names and details of those intending to join the protest as a condition for providing protection, a move that was swiftly rejected by many Nigerians. The police later clarified that collecting such information is standard procedure intended to ensure safety and prevent unlawful activities.

In a letter addressed to human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the IGP directed police commanders nationwide to safeguard the protesters. Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had written to the IGP on July 26, 2024, on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, which is organizing the August protest.

The IGP responded in a letter dated July 29, 2024, instructing senior police officers to address Adegboruwa’s request. The response, signed by the IGP’s Principal Staff Officer, CP Johnson Adenola, also included an invitation for Adegboruwa to meet with the IGP in Abuja on July 30, 2024, to discuss the matter further.

The IGP’s office has also reached out to Adegboruwa to arrange this meeting. Despite warnings from the police, military, and the Department of State Services about the potential for violence, and political concerns about the protest resembling the EndSARS demonstrations of October 2020, the youth remain resolute in their plans.

The planned protest, aimed at addressing economic hardships, has gained significant traction on social media and will take place across all states and the nation’s capital in August. With soaring prices and severe inflation exacerbated by recent government policies, the protest seeks to address widespread dissatisfaction.

In a follow-up statement, the IGP urged the youth to “cooperate with the police” to ensure a peaceful and orderly protest. He emphasized the police’s commitment to upholding citizens’ rights while maintaining law and order. The IGP stressed the importance of responsible and non-violent demonstrations as a means of expressing grievances and promoting change.