IGP grants conditional approval for planned protests, alerts on foreign mercenaries

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the planned nationwide hunger protest but has imposed conditions to ensure its peaceful conduct.

On Friday, Egbetokun instructed that all organizing groups must submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

The police chief also revealed that there is intelligence suggesting the involvement of foreign mercenaries in the planned protest.

At a press briefing at the Force Headquarters, Egbetokun emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and safety. He stated, “We recognize the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. To ensure the event is conducted safely, we ask that all groups provide detailed information to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is scheduled.”

The required details include: 1) Proposed protest routes and assembly points; 2) Expected duration of the protest; 3) Names and contact information of protest leaders and organizers; and 4) Measures to prevent the protest from being hijacked by criminal elements, including identifiers for isolating potential troublemakers.

Egbetokun added that providing this information will allow the police to deploy adequate resources and personnel to ensure a safe and orderly protest. He urged organizers to avoid conflicts with other activities, establish clear communication channels with police, and adhere to peaceful protest practices to minimize the risk of violence and property damage.

He also addressed concerns about the nature of the protest, noting that while some groups advocate for peaceful demonstrations, there are others with violent agendas. Egbetokun praised those who have withdrawn from the protest due to concerns about its motives and the potential manipulation by adversaries.

He confirmed the presence of foreign mercenaries among the protest organizers, urging Nigerians to exercise caution and carefully consider joining any protest groups.