The Nigeria Police Force has taken a swipe at a human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, for accusing IGP Kayode Egbetokun of attempting to re-write Nigerian constitution by asking leaders of the looming nationwide protests to submit their details to the security agency.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶
It was recalled that on Friday, the Inspector General of Police directed Nigerians planning to participate in the proposed protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
Egbetokun said, “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.”
Defending the position of the IGP in a statement issued on Sunday, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, Force Public Relations Officer, said the request is a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants, and prevent any unlawful activities.
He said, “In this wise, requesting the details of protest organizers and their leaders and the schedules of their protests which include location, period, routes etc, is a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants, and prevent any unlawful activities. It is also vital for Deji Adeyanju to note that in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons as enshrined in Section 45 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this request by the IGP is not out of place.
“It is essential to know who is planning the assembly (protests) in each state as allowing faceless groups to operate unchecked could jeopardize the peace and stability of the country, and leave us with pains, sorrows and tears as experienced in the 2020 violent EndSARS Protests. If organized labour and other recognized bodies were involved, it would have provided a more structured and safer environment for such public protests.”
“While the Police urges Mr. Adeyanju and other organizers not to mislead Nigerians. We therefore call on them to join hands in working together to uphold the security and well-being of our nation,” Adejobi added.
Nigerians particularly the youths have slated August 1 to 10 as period nationwide protests against hardship and bad governance in the country.
