By Our Reporter
With just a few hours to the planned nationwide protest billed to start on Thursday, August 1, 2024, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun on Tuesday, 30th July, 2024, met with key members of the Take It Back Movement, Femi Falana (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) and others, to discuss the need to maintain public order and safety during the protest.
A statement by Force headquarters, said the meeting was held “in light of the planned nationwide protest and as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s efforts towards ensuring that the protest remains peaceful, while supporting the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
The IGP advised the conveners of the protest of the essence of collaborating with the Police and other security agencies in order to protect the rights and well being of all citizens involved.
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.
He said this is also “to pre-empt any security challenges and ensuring that the protests proceed peacefully”, while acknowledging the rights of citizens to express their dissatisfaction in a peaceful manner, within the bounds of the law.
“He also strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose, even as he assured the citizens of the Force’s commitment to the safety and security of all.
The Inspector-General of Police further restated the need for stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests.