*Miscreants Threaten To Deal With Protesters In Lagos

ORGANISERS of the planned nationwide protest, tagged #EndBadGovernance and scheduled for August 1 to 10, have rejected a proposal by the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, for restricted action.

At a virtual meeting with the organisers on Tuesday, July 30, the IGP had suggested confined protests in identified locations and advised against street rallies, saying: “It is not advisable to go on street processions, because as you are planning a protest, some are planning violence.”

But lawyer for the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organising the nationwide protests, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), rejected the proposal, during the meeting, also attended by human rights lawyer, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN); representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA); other lawyers, including rights activist, Inibehe Effiong, who had pledged legal support for arrested protesters; civil society organisations (CSOs) and some of those spearheading the protest against economic hardship billed to hold in all states of the federation and Abuja.

Recall that Adegboruwa had on July 26, written a letter to the IGP, notifying him of the planned action and seeking Police coverage for protesters at the venues, including Eagle Square, Abuja; Alausa Park, Lagos; Akpakpava Lane, Benin City; School of Agric, Bauchi; Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan; Maiduguri Roundabout, opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State; Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium, Rivers and Freedom Park, Osogbo. 

The IGP, in a letter dated July 29, in response, directed senior Police officers to attend to his request and subsequently requested to meet with Adegboruwa in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, “to deliberate further” on his request.

But Adegboruwa opted for a virtual meeting, requesting Falana, members of the NBA and others to also attend.

    After the IGP’s proposal, Adegboruwa said there would be street processions before protesters converged at specific locations sent to the police.

He stated: “Our letter to the IGP indicates that there will be processions that will be guided to achieve peace during the protests,” adding that leaders would also make speeches on the days of the protest.

He urged the Police to focus attention on thugs and groups threatening fire and brimstone, saying the organisers could not give a specific number of people that would participate in the protests, as Nigerians had been invited to join the rallies.

But he assured the IGP that the organisers were not destructive.

Egbetokun then assured that the Police would provide security cover for protesters at confined locations sent to the Force Headquarters, noting: “I will not be able to guarantee security for your members if you embark on street processions.

“I believe that a peaceful protest in a confined location will be safe.”

He, however, added that where state commissioners of Police have enough manpower, they could deploy their men to guard protesters during street processions, just as he advised the organisers to contact Police chiefs in their various locations to notify them of their requests for security cover during street processions and confined protests.

A statement issued later by the Force headquarters, said the meeting was held “in light of the planned nationwide protest as part of the Nigeria Police Force’s efforts aimed at ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, while upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

It added: “During the meeting, the IGP emphasised the importance of maintaining 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 duty to facilitate such rights within the bounds of the law.

“The IGP advised the Take It Back Movement, who have indicated their interest to protest, to engage with the respective state Police Commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public to pre-empt any security challenges and ensuring that the protests proceed peacefully.

“Additionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose. He stressed that organising and coordinating with the Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks, protect the rights of all citizens and protect the well-being of all involved.

“The IGP, while reiterating that the Force remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring that all public gatherings are conducted safely and securely, calls on stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests.”

     Meanwhile, reminiscent of events witnessed during last year’s general elections, some miscreants in Lagos State have started threatening residents not to participate in the protest.

In a viral video on Tuesday, July 30, some persons whose voices were heard warning market women and men in a Lagos market to stay away from the protest, saying it might lead to more destruction than that witnessed during the #EndSARS protest.

“Anyone confident should come out on Thursday to protest. Are you the only one hungry? If you dare come out for the protest, you will be mercilessly dealt with.

“If they burn your shops, who will be responsible for it? On Thursday, if you truly believe in your cause, come out and protest. You are not the only ones who are hungry; we don’t want things to be destroyed in Lagos. We will not allow it,” they threatened in the video.

Some youths in Lagos held a solidarity march, unhindered, to counter the planned protest.

      Effiong wrote on his X handle: “When I was invited to speak, I asked the IGP specifically if he was aware of the trending video in circulation showing some thugs in Lagos threatening to unleash violence on protesters and warning people not to join the protest.

“I also asked him if he will direct the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to arrest the said thugs to serve as a deterrent to those who are planning to cause unrest.

“The IGP, sadly, did not address this particular question, despite that he was reminded of my question by other participants.”