The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed police officers nationwide to “deal decisively” with arsonists and troublemakers as youths prepare to stage #EndBadGovernance protests against hunger and economic hardship across the country, beginning Thursday, August 1, 2024.
In a statement issued on the eve of the nationwide protests, the IGP criticized the organizers for not providing the police with essential details about the demonstrations, such as the names of participants, planned routes, and other relevant information.
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Egbetokun expressed concerns over the name of the movement—‘Take It Back Movement’—stating that it has “far-reaching undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal connotations.” He claimed that intelligence reports suggest the protests are intended to cause mayhem and disrupt public order.
The IGP warned that the police would not stand by and allow the situation to devolve into a “state of anarchy.” He ordered all police formations across the country to be on high alert to protect innocent lives and properties from potential attacks and destruction.
“All officers and men of the Nigeria Police are hereby directed to act and deal decisively with any act of arson, intimidation or harassment of any citizen, threat to lives and properties, breach of peace and any act of criminality that may arise or flow from the planned protest in any part of the country.
“Perpetrators of any crime will be arrested and promptly prosecuted,” he said.
