National Telescope national telescope newspaper
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called on all groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
He made this appeal while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday.
Egbetokun noted the importance of ensuring that the protest remains peaceful.
“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,” he stated.
He outlined the specific information required from the organisers: the proposed protest routes and assembly points, the expected duration of the protest, and the names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers. This information is essential for the police to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.
The IG added that organisers should also provide measures to prevent the hijacking of the protest by criminal elements and key identifiers to isolate potential troublemakers.
“By providing this information, the police can better facilitate a successful and incident-free protest,” Egbetokun explained.
Additionally, knowing the specific routes and areas for the protest will help the police avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
Egbetokun issued further guidelines, including establishing clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise, and minimising the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights,” Egbetokun concluded.
