Senior Advocate Requests Police Protection for Planned Protest

Prominent senior advocate writes to the Inspector General of Police (IGP), seeking police protection for an upcoming protest to ensure participants’ safety and order.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, a notable human rights activist and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has sent correspondence to Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun regarding the scheduled public gatherings, rallies, and marches which are being orchestrated by the Take It Back Movement along with its members as well as several patriotic citizens’ groups.

Adegboruwa, serving as the legal representative for Take It Back Movement, provided information that from August 1 to August 10 in the year of 2024 or possibly thereafter, events will take place at Eagle Square located in Abuja and various public venues across all state capitals numbering to a total of thirty-six including headquarters belonging to seven hundred seventy-four local government areas.

Adegboruwa stressed the significance of police backing during these assemblies and urged the IGP to furnish particulars about assigned police personnel or teams, with emphasis on proper coordination and alignment of strategy.

The request is prompted by intensified security alerts. On Thursday, the Department of State Services (DSS) issued an advisory regarding the upcoming demonstrations and disclosed its identification of those behind them.

Read Also: Shehu Sani Says Protests Lack Leadership, Cannot Participate

The DSS recognized the right to protest but had concerns that some groups might take advantage of the situation.

Peter Afunanya, spokesperson for the DSS, stated that the plotters intend to utilize any expected violent result in order to vilify and turn public opinion against both federal and sub-national governments. Their aim is an alteration of the current regime, particularly at its core.

On the same day, FCT Minister Nyesom Wike imposed a ban on protests in the capital territory and anticipated demonstrations led to deployment of 4,200 police personnel.

On Friday, Josephine Adeh, spokesperson for FCT Police Command asserted that they are committed to opposing any kind of violent demonstrations and disorder.

She further added that the police would not tolerate vandalism or casualties in terms of loss of property or lives- be it public or private.

The protest named #EndBadGovernance has gained immense popularity on social media as the cost of living in Nigeria continues to rise.

This surge is primarily attributed to the withdrawal of fuel subsidies and the devaluation of naira, which have fueled inflation rate up to 34% according to National Bureau for Statistics (NBS).

Consequently, many Nigerians find themselves unable or struggling hard enough to afford basic commodities due their skyrocketing prices.

President Bola Tinubu is actively engaging with different stakeholders, such as traditional rulers, to prevent the protest.

He has requested that organizers show understanding towards his administration and trust that their ongoing reforms will bring favorable outcomes in due course.