Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun Calls for Protester Details

The head of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, who is also the Inspector General, sent a message to those deliberating on commencing protests and those interested in participating in nationwide protests to tender their personal details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

The Inspector General stated that this measure is to ensure safe and peaceful protests and to note the respective individuals involved in the protests. In a meeting in Abuja on July 26, he mentioned that all organizers should provide safety measures to prevent hijacking by opportunists seeking to disrupt the protests and to prevent any further vandalism.

“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.

To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: the proposed protest routes and assembly points, the expected duration of the protest, and the names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.”

According to his statements, the information provided to the police will be used to monitor and provide adequate measures for safety and a peaceful protest.

He added that the police need to know the areas and routes where the protest will be carried out in order to ensure the protesters’ safety and prevent illegal acts.

The rest are the guidelines put in place:

“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. We encourage 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.”