Nationwide protests: IGP directs police protection for protesters

Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has instructed senior police officers to ensure the safety of participants in the #EndBadGovernance protests scheduled for August 1-10, 2024.

This directive was issued in a letter dated July 29, 2024, signed by his Principal Staff Officer, CP Johnson Adenola, following a request from human rights lawyer Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN).

Adegboruwa had written to the police chief on July 28, 2024, seeking police protection for the hunger protesters. In response, the IGP directed senior officers, including Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Operations and Intelligence), Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters, and Commissioners of Police (CPs) across the country, to comply with this request.

The letter also indicated that the IGP has scheduled a meeting with Adegboruwa at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to discuss the matter further.

“I am to inform you that the Inspector General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Operations and Intelligence), the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters, and the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of State Commands across the country to attend to your request.

I am also to inform you that the Inspector General of Police wishes to have a meeting with you at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, 30 July 2024, to deliberate further on your request,” the letter stated.