The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun, has stated that the Nigeria Police will respond to some Nigerians’ planned protest on August 1 “in the most professional manner.”
While speaking at a meeting with Strategic Police Managers in Abuja on Tuesday, July 23, the police chief stated that the purpose of the meeting was to share intelligence from the various police commands in the country and analyse it for the country’s security.
“So we are prepared, and I want to assure you that we will manage the protest in the most professional manner” he said.
The inspector general stated that the police would continue to provide security for peaceful protesters.
“If the protest is peaceful, you will see us protecting the protesters as long as they remain peaceful. But we have a duty to protect lives and property, so we will not sit back and watch hoodlums burn down facilities in the name of protest. So we are not against peaceful protest; we will support peaceful protest by protecting those who will engage in peaceful protest,” he said.
He claimed that if the demonstrators protested peacefully, it would not be difficult to preserve law and order
In the event that the protest turns violent, the police chief continued, it becomes difficult.
“No civilised society will tolerate violent protest. Violent protest is criminal, but peaceful protest is a right,” he said.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
