The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has labelled the proposed nationwide protest as ill-advised and urged citizens to abandon the plan. His remarks follow social media campaigns calling for protests on August 1 in response to the country’s economic hardships.
Speaking at a meeting with police commissioners in Abuja on Tuesday, Egbetokun highlighted the nation’s history of violent protests and their severe consequences. “As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences,” he said.
Egbetokun specifically referenced the #EndSARS protests, noting, “The last #EndSARS protest led to the destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, and 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.”
While acknowledging the constitutional right to peaceful protest, Egbetokun emphasized the need to prevent violence. “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,” he stated.
The Inspector General urged citizens to forgo the planned protest, stressing the police’s duty to protect people and 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,” he said.
He added, “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 deserving Nigerians. Consequently, I want to seize this opportunity to sound a note of serious warning to hoodlums who may want to take laws into their own hands in the name of protests.”
