Tension Rises As Protest Day Approaches

Tension built up across the country as the various camps for and against the action; #EndBadGovernance protest, engage in a fierce battle of wit.

The planned protests against economic hardship, which is gaining traction on social media, have been scheduled to be held across all the states including the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja on 1 August, 2024. While the governments and their supporters make frantic efforts to avert it, the organisers have continued to dig in.

Inspector-General of Police(IGP), Kayode  Egbetokun, yesterday held a virtual meeting with key members of the Take It Back Movement and other stakeholders over the planned nationwide protest.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Olumiyiwa Adejobi, said the meeting was part of efforts by the Police to ensure the safety and security of all citizens while upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

Adejobi, in a statement issued in Abuja, said during the meeting, the IGP emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protests. He acknowledged the group’s right to express their concerns through peaceful protests and reiterated the Police Force’s duty to facilitate such rights within the bounds of the law.

“To this end, the IGP has advised the Take It Back Movement, who have indicated their interest to protest, to engage with the respective state Police Commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public, while pre-empting any security challenges and ensuring that the protests proceed peacefully. Additionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose. He stressed that organizing and coordinating with the Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks, protect the rights of all citizens, and protect the well-being of all involved.

The Inspector-General of Police, while reiterating that the Force remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring that all public gatherings are conducted safely and securely, calls on stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests.”

The IGP suggested confined protests in identified locations, saying he was opposed to street rallies citing the possibility of violence. “It is not advisable to go on street processions because as you are planning a protest, some are planning violence,” the IGP advised.

But responding, Adegboruwa, lawyer for the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organising the nationwide protests, rejected the proposal.

On July 26, Adegboruwa had written the IGP to provide police coverage for protesters. But Egbetokun in his response letter dated July 29, directed senior police officers to attend to the request of the senior lawyer. He  later called for a meeting with Adegboruwa in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, “to deliberate further” on his request.

At the meeting, Adegboruwa suggested a virtual meeting with the police boss, enlisting Femi Falana, members of the NBA and other stakeholders to attend the meeting.

Adegboruwa also mentioned some of  the points of convergence for the protests as Eagle Square, Abuja; Alausa Park, Lagos; Akpakpava Lane, Benin City; School of Agric, Bauchi; Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan; Maiduguri Roundabout, opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State; Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium, River and Freedom Park, Osogbo.

The virtual meeting was attended by Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), other lawyers, civil society organisations as well as some arrowheads of the planned protests.

Speaking at the meeting, the IGP warned against street processions which he said could be hijacked by fifth columnists and enemies of the state.

“Confining peaceful protesters to particular locations will help us a lot,” the IGP said, sounding the alarm that terror elements were looking to infiltrate crowds to wreak havoc.

After the IGP’s proposal, Adegboruwa said there would be street processions before protesters converged on specific locations sent to the police.

“Our letter to the Inspector General of Police indicates that there will be processions that will be guided to achieve peace during the protests,” he said, noting that leaders will also make speeches on the days of the protest.

Also, Adegboruwa said attention of the police should be focused on thugs and groups threatening fire and brimstone. He said the organisers cannot give a specific number of people who would participate in the protests as Nigerians have been invited to join the rallies.

The senior lawyer assured the IGP that the organisers are not destructive.

Egbetokun subsequently said the police would provide security cover for protesters at confined locations sent to the Force Headquarters.

“I will not be able to guarantee security for your members if you embark on street processions,” the IGP said. “I believe that a peaceful protest in a confined location will be safe”.

The police boss quickly added that if Commissioners of Police in states across the Federation have enough manpower, they could deploy their men to guard protesters during street processions. He advised the organisers to contact police top brass in their various locations to notify them of their requests for security cover during street processions and confined protests.