The Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, has called on all groups planning to join the upcoming nationwide hunger protest to submit their names, addresses, and other key details to the police. The announcement was made during a press briefing in Abuja on Friday.
Egbetokun emphasized that the request aims to ensure the protests remain peaceful and orderly. He acknowledged the constitutional right of Nigerians to assemble and protest but stressed the importance of 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 stated.
The Inspector-General outlined the specific information required from the protest organizers. This includes the proposed protest routes, assembly points, expected duration of the protest, and names and contact details of the protest leaders. Egbetokun also requested details on measures to prevent the protests from being hijacked by criminal elements and identifiers to isolate potential troublemakers.
Egbetokun explained that having this information would enable the police to allocate adequate personnel and resources to maintain public safety. He added that knowing the specific routes and areas for the protest would help avoid clashes with other events or activities.
To further ensure a peaceful demonstration, Egbetokun issued additional guidelines. These include establishing clear communication channels between the police and protest leaders, addressing any concerns or issues that might arise, and minimizing risks of violence, property damage, or other criminal activities.
“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.
