The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, issued a warning yesterday to groups organising a nationwide protest against economic hardship set for August 1, 2024. He urged them to reconsider and abandon the plan, calling it ill-advised.
Egbetokun addressed the growing momentum of the proposed protest on social media, noting the country’s past experiences with violent protests and their severe consequences.
In a meeting with Deputy Inspectors General, Assistant Inspectors General, and police commissioners from the 36 states and the FCT in Abuja, Egbetokun reminded Nigerians that the previous #EndSARS protest led to increased crime rates and insecurity in many areas.
He said: “Before concluding this address, it is important I address an issue of urgent national importance which appears to have gained some momentum, particularly on social media, in the past few weeks.
“Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategizing and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.
“While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder.
“As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences.
“The last #EndSARS protest led to one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, as well as the loss of several lives. Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise.
“Rather than lead to any positive outcome, #EndSARS merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country. Indeed, we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these protests.”
Consequently, Egbetokun urged citizens to abandon the planned protest, emphasizing that the police have a responsibility to protect both the people and their property.
“Our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously. We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities.
“We will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleashed on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again,” he added.
The IGP said measures were in place to ensure that any hoodlums attempting to disguise themselves as protesters would be apprehended.
He said: “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians.”
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