The Inspector General Of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and the organisers of the #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria planned protests have disagreed over the nature of the demonstration scheduled to kick off on August 1 nationwide.
The two parties in a virtual meeting on Tuesday, discussed both the roles of the protesters and the security agencies in ensuring the safety and security of the protesters, and the nation’s critical infrastructures during the procession.
The meeting, convened by the IGP in response to the letter by the Take It Back Movement (TIB), represented by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa had in attendance 16 participants including Femi Falana (SAN), lawyer and human rights activist, Inibehe Effiong and some other civil society leaders and activist.
At the meeting, the IGP emphasised the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protest while reiterating the Police Force’s duty to facilitate such rights within the bounds of the law.
A statement signed by the spokesperson of the police, Muyiwa Adejobi after the meeting read partly:
“To this end, the IGP has advised the Take It Back Movement, who have indicated their interest in protest, to engage with the respective State Police Commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public, while pre-empting any security challenges and ensuring that the protests proceed peacefully.
“Additionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose. He stressed that organising and coordinating with the Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks, protect the rights of all citizens, and protect the well-being of all involved.”
However, the organisers disagreed because the police leadership was confining the demonstration to designated locations.
Inibehe Effiong in a lengthy post shared via his X handle, summarised the outcome of the meeting and it read partly:
“When I was invited to speak, I asked the IGP specifically if he was aware of the trending video in circulation showing some thugs in Lagos threatening to unleash violence on protesters and warning people not to join the protest.
“I also asked him if he would direct the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to arrest the said thugs to serve as a deterrent to those who are planning to cause unrest. The IGP, sadly, did not address this particular question, despite the fact that he was reminded of my question by other participants.
“The IGP also advised (or should I say took the position) that the protests should be confined to specific locations).
“This made me ask the IGP directly if the police will disrupt any protest that is held outside the locations that have been communicated to him; given his advice that protesters should not embark on marches or rallies but should be restricted to identified venues.
“The IGP responded to me that there is no plan to disrupt rallies on the road or any protest held outside the ‘designated’ venues.
“However, he further indicated that the police cannot guarantee the security of protesters who are not confined to the locations that have been communicated to him or CPs in the various States.
“My final contribution was to remind the IGP to be mindful of the fact that there have been IGPs before him, that he should be thinking about legacy and his place in history, and that if this protest is peaceful, history will remember him for his role, but that if anyone is killed by the police, it will also be recorded for him as his legacy.”
Consequently, Effiong noted that the IGP had assured that security would be provided to protesters who are gathered at the venues that have been communicated to the IGP and CPs.
He claimed that the police have yet to take seriously the threats made by alleged government-sponsored thugs against peaceful protesters.
The activist also noted that the police had accepted nothing was capable of stopping the protest from taking place.
“The IGP said that the military will not be deployed during the protests, but that they may be invited if there’s violence that the police cannot control.
“I am encouraging people to write to the CPs in the various States and notify them of the places they want to converge. Rallies and marches should be done in a coordinated manner,” he said.