Organizers of the nationwide protest against hardship have outlined meeting points across the country for the planned protest. However, a Lagos High Court has issued a restriction for protesters in Lagos participating in the proposed August 1st nationwide protest, limiting the locations to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in the Ketu area of the state.
It should be noted that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requested the organizers of the protest to provide the contact details of those involved in planning the protest, as well as the designated points and routes to be used during the protest.
Additionally, stakeholders are urging the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to withdraw soldiers deployed in the Federal Capital Territory and other cities ahead of the proposed protest. Also, the IGP has made a reversal in his previous stance and has directed senior officers to ensure the protection of protesters during the planned nationwide protest.
In light of recent pro-government protests in some parts of the country on Monday, stakeholders are calling for both the organizers of the protest and the federal government to exercise restraint and handle the situation with caution. The Catholic Bishops, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, and the former national chairman of the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, among others, are all stakeholders in the planned protests organized by the Take-it-Back Movement.
Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, who is the solicitor to one of the protest organizers, has addressed a letter to the Inspector General of Police, highlighting the various rally locations which include Eagle Square in Abuja, Alausa Park in Lagos, Opposite Wema Bank in Lagos, Akpakpava Lane in Benin City, and others in different states across the country.
Adegboruwa was scheduled to meet with the IGP in Abuja but requested that the meeting be expanded to include more stakeholders and be conducted virtually. He suggested that the meeting be chaired by human rights activist Femi Falana, SAN, and be attended by representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association, other lawyers, and civil society organizations.
Following the virtual meeting held yesterday, Force Headquarters has released a statement regarding the outcome. The Inspector General of Police emphasized the importance of upholding public order and safety during the planned protests. He acknowledged the group’s right to express their concerns through peaceful protests and reiterated the Police Force’s obligation to facilitate such rights in accordance with the law.
The IGP has advised the Take-It-Back Movement, who have expressed interest in protesting, to liaise with the respective state police commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the public. This is also to prevent any security challenges and ensure that the protests proceed in a peaceful manner.
Furthermore, the IGP strongly cautioned against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential risks they pose. He emphasized that organizing and working in conjunction with the Police and other security agencies are crucial steps in mitigating risks, safeguarding the rights of all citizens, and ensuring the well-being of all involved.
The IGP has also ordered senior officers to ensure the protection of protesters during the nationwide protest. In a letter dated July 29th and signed by Johnson Adenola, the Principal Secretary of the IGP, it was confirmed that the request for police protection by the group has been approved.
The Inspector-General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Operations and Intelligence), the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters, and the Commissioners of Police in charge of state commands nationwide to address the request for police protection as per the group’s request.
