All organisations intending to take part in the planned nationwide protest have been urged by Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun to provide their information to the Commissioners of Police in their individual states.
According to the police, this is being done to make sure the demonstration stays peaceful. Speaking to reporters in Abuja today, July 26, Egbetokun stated that in addition to key identifiers for potential troublemakers to be isolated from, the organisers are also anticipated to offer steps to prevent hijacking by criminal elements.
“We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. 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.”
He stated that by sharing the information, the police will be able to deploy the necessary men and resources to ensure public safety.
He also stated that the police must be aware of the protest’s specific routes and places in order to avoid clashes with other events or activities.
Other guidelines, as issued by Egbetokun, include; “Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise 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.”
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