Ahead of the nationwide #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protest against increasing hunger and misgovernance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, the Inspector General of Police has directed all state commands to raid vulcanizer shops and seize all unused tyres for disposal......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
The police stated that this measure aims to prevent protesters from burning tyres on highways or other important locations.
A leaked police wireless message containing the directive was addressed to the Commissioner of Police in Ekiti State, directing Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and various unit commands to comply. The message warned that DPOs in areas where protesters set burn fires would face sanctions, though the specific punishments were not detailed.
The wireless message, dated “DTO:240840/07/2024,” reads:
“CB:4001/EKS/DOPS/VOL.53/181. Order and directives. Re-nationwide protest against end bad government in Nigeria. In view of the Inspector General of Police conference/briefing with Assistant Inspector General of Police zones and Commissioners of Police in all the states on the above subject. Commissioner of Police directs you to go out at midnight, raid vulcanizer shops in and around your areas, and seize all unused tyres for disposal to prevent protesters from using them to set burn fires on the highway.
“Any DPO in whose Area of Operation burn fire occurs will be sanctioned accordingly. All to ensure strict compliance please.”