Offer Protection To Intending Protesters, Adegboruwa Writes IGP, DSS

A human rights activist Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) has notified security agencies, requesting protection over planned public meetings, rallies, and processions by a non-governmental body, the Take It Back Movement, its members, some patriotic Nigerians and groups.

In the letter dated Friday, July 26, 2024, the senior advocate writing as solicitor to the Take It Back Movement notified the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) that the planned rallies would commence from August 1 to 10, 2024, or any time thereafter.

He said the rallies would be held at the Eagle Square in Abuja and other public spaces in the capital cities of the 36 states and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.

Adegboruwa while reiterating the role of the security agencies during such rallies and protests, urged the leadership of the security agencies to make available the details of any of their officers or teams that will be assigned to cover the said meetings/rallies/processions to harmonise plans and strategies for the same.

The request comes against the background of warnings from security agencies and groups over the planned protest. On Thursday, the Department of State Services (DSS) cautioned against the demonstrations, saying it had identified the sponsors.

While the DSS agreed on the citizens’ right to protest, it claimed that some elements planned to hijack it.

“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses,” it said in a statement by its spokesman Peter Afunanya. “The long-term objective is to achieve a regime change, especially at the Centre.”