The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called on all groups planning to participate in the August 1 nationwide protest to submit their details to the commissioners of police in their respective states.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Egbetokun acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest but emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety.
“We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. 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,” Egbetokun stated.
The IG outlined the specific information required from the organizers to facilitate a successful and incident-free protest.
This includes the proposed protest routes and assembly points, expected duration of the protest, and names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.
In addition, Egbetokun stressed the need for measures to prevent the hijacking of the protest by criminal elements and the provision of key identifiers for isolating potential troublemakers.
“By providing this information, the police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety,” Egbetokun added.
He also highlighted the necessity of knowing specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
To further ensure a peaceful demonstration, the IG issued additional guidelines for protest organizers:
Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise.
Minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
Egbetokun encouraged 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.
