The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has asked all groups planning to join the upcoming hunger protest on August 1 to give their names, addresses, and other key details to the police.
Beyond Boders reports that this was announced during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Egbetokun said this request is to make sure the protest stays peaceful and orderly, acknowledging the right of Nigerians to protest, but highlighted the need for public safety.
“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 said.
The Inspector-General listed the information needed from protest organizers. This includes the planned protest routes, gathering points, expected duration of the protest, and names and contact details of the protest leaders.
Egbetokun also asked for details on how to prevent the protest from being taken over by criminals and how to identify troublemakers.
He explained that having this information would help the police to allocate enough personnel and resources to keep the public safe, adding that knowing the protest routes and areas would help avoid clashes with other events.
To ensure a peaceful protest, Egbetokun issued more guidelines. These include setting up clear communication between the police and protest leaders, addressing any concerns that might come up, and reducing risks of violence, property damage, or other criminal activities.
Concluding, he stated, “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.”
