However, a Lagos High Court has limited the protestors in Lagos who intend to participate in the planned nationwide demonstration on August 1 to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park, which is located in However, a Lagos High Court has limited the protestors in Lagos who intend to participate in the planned nationwide demonstration on August 1 to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park, which is located in the Ketu region of the state. Recall that Force Headquarters requested the demonstration organizers to provide their contact information, together with the names and locations of the protest, to Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. They have requested that soldiers stationed in the Federal Capital Territory and other cities be withdrawn in advance of the planned demonstration, according to Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff. Still, the IGP gave in yesterday, directing top cops to guard demonstrators during the scheduled countrywide demonstration.the Ketu region of the state.
Recall that Force Headquarters requested the demonstration organizers to provide their contact information, together with the names and locations of the protest, to Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun. They have requested that soldiers stationed in the Federal Capital Territory and other cities be withdrawn in advance of the planned demonstration, according to Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff. Still, the IGP gave in yesterday, directing top cops to guard demonstrators during the scheduled countrywide demonstration.
Amidst the pro-government protests that took place in several regions of the nation on Monday, stakeholders in the Nigerian project persisted in their demand yesterday for restraint from both the protest organizers and the federal government. These include, among others, Uche Secondus, the former national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Catholic bishops, the primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, and the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF). The points of confluence for the rallies were identified as Eagle Square, Abuja; Alausa Park, Lagos, and Opposite Wema Bank; and Akpakpava Lane, Benin City, in a letter to the IGP by Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, counsel to one of the protest organizers, Take-it-Back Movement.
Other locations are opposite the School of Agric, Bauchi; Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan; Maiduguri Roundabout, opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State; Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium, Rivers and Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State.
Adegboruwa, who was to have met the IGP in Abuja yesterday, based on an invitation from the police boss, requested that the meeting be enlarged and held virtually to give room for more stakeholders to attend.
“During the meeting, the IGP emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protests,” Force Headquarters stated in a statement following the virtual meeting that took place yesterday. “He affirmed the Police Force’s obligation to support the group’s right to peacefully demonstrate their concerns while staying within the law and acknowledged the group’s right to do so. “The IGP has recommended that the Take-It-Back Movement, who have expressed interest in staging a protest, get in touch with the relevant state police commissioners to organize and schedule the demonstrations in a way that guarantees the security of both the demonstrators and the public at large.He claimed that doing this will also help to ensure that there are no security issues and that the protests go ahead without incident.
“In addition, because of the possible risks involved, the IGP strongly advised against unannounced, open, and unnecessary processions.”He emphasized that in order to reduce dangers, defend everyone’s rights, and ensure everyone’s safety, it is imperative to coordinate and organize with the police and other security services.
“The Inspector-General of Police calls on stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests, 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.”
IGP directs CPs, AIGs, and DIGs to guard demonstrators.
The IGP also gave senior police orders to guard demonstrators at the upcoming nationwide protest in response to Adegboruwa’s request.
IGP Egbetokun approved the group’s request for police protection in a letter dated July 29 and signed by IGP principal secretary Johnson Adenola. This is to notify you that the Commissioners of Police in charge of state commands across the nation, the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters, and the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Operations and Intelligence) have been instructed by the Inspector-General of Police to handle your request.
