Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday, called on all groups participating in the proposed nationwide #EndBadGovernance protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
The police boss announced this while addressing newsmen in Abuja.
According to him, the measure is to ensure the protest is peaceful.
Egbetokun said, “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.
“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”
The police boss added that the information expected from the protest organisers also include measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers.
He further stated that by providing the information, the police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.
The IGP also said police needed to be fully informed on the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
Egbetokun listed other guidelines as, “Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise 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.”
Details later…
