The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has made a significant move in response to public pressure by instructing top police officials to ensure the protection of participants in the planned #EndBadGovernance protest, scheduled to take place from August 1 to 10, 2024. This directive comes after a controversial request by the IGP for the names and details of participants as a condition for their protection, which was met with widespread rejection by Nigerians.
Initially, the police defended the request, stating it was a standard procedure to ensure safety and prevent unlawful activities during the protest. However, the backlash from the public prompted the IGP to reconsider. In a letter addressed to human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa on Monday, the IGP directed police commanders nationwide to protect the demonstrators.
Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had written to the IGP on July 26, 2024, on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organizing the protest. He requested police protection for the protesters. The IGP’s response, dated July 29, 2024, instructed senior police officers to address the request, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the safety of the demonstrators.
The response, signed by Principal Staff Officer CP Johnson Adenola, also included an invitation for Adegboruwa to meet with the IGP in Abuja on July 30, 2024, to discuss the matter further. This meeting aims to ensure that the protest proceeds peacefully and without incident.
Despite warnings from the police, military, and the Department of State Services (DSS) against a Kenya-styled protest, and appeals from politicians who fear a repeat of the October 2020 EndSARS demonstrations, the young people organizing the protest remain steadfast. The planned rallies aim to address the severe economic hardship facing Nigerians, exacerbated by high inflation, rising food prices, and recent government policies, including the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows.
The IGP, in a follow-up statement, urged youths to cooperate with the police to ensure a peaceful and orderly protest. He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights while maintaining law and order. Stressing the importance of peaceful protest, the IGP highlighted the lessons learned from previous violent demonstrations in Nigeria and called for responsible exercise of the right to protest.
“The right to protest is a right to peaceful protest,” the IGP stated, urging all Nigerians to avoid actions that could escalate into violence. He emphasized that peaceful protests are a powerful tool for expressing grievances and driving change without endangering lives and properties.
As the protest dates draw nearer, the federal government and President Bola Tinubu have appealed to the youth to reconsider the planned demonstrations. Despite these appeals, the Take-It-Back Movement and other groups remain determined to hold their public meetings, rallies, and processions, aiming to draw attention to the economic crises and advocate for change.
In response to the group’s formal request for police protection, the IGP’s letter assured that the necessary arrangements had been made to safeguard the protesters. The letter reiterated the IGP’s directive to senior police officials across the country to facilitate the request and ensure the protests are conducted peacefully.
As Nigerians prepare for the upcoming demonstrations, the focus remains on maintaining peace and order while allowing citizens to voice their concerns and demand better governance. The police’s involvement is crucial in striking this balance, ensuring that the protests are safe and effective in conveying the message of the people.
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