Ahead of the nationwide protest scheduled to begin on August 1, police authorities are requesting details from the demonstrators.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Friday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, specifically asked all groups planning to participate in the demonstrations to submit their details to the commissioners of police in their respective states.
He emphasized that this request was to ensure the protest remains peaceful.
“We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest,” the police boss said.
“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: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”
The IG added that the information expected from the organizers also includes measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers to isolate potential troublemakers.
Concerned about the possibility of the protest being hijacked by criminal elements, the IGP explained that police authorities need this information to identify potential troublemakers.
He reiterated the police’s determination to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, noting that the Force needs to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
The IGP also issued additional guidelines for the protesters, including establishing clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise, minimizing 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.”
