*Protesters reportedly insist on open demonstrations as Nigeria鈥檚 Inspector-General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun urges the 鈥楾ake It Back Movement鈥�, one of the brains behind the nationwide protest slated to begin from August 1, 2024, to engage with the respective State Police Commissioners in coordinating and planning their protest in 鈥榓 manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public鈥�

Alexander Davis | 绿帽献妻

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun Tuesday, July 30, 2024, held a virtual meeting with Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), and other key members of the 鈥楾ake It Back Movement鈥�, one of the brains behind the planned nationwide protest slated to begin from August 1, 2024, in the country.

The Police Force Headquarters, in Abuja, FCT, in a statement Tuesday, said the meeting was held 鈥渋n light of the planned nationwide protest as part of the Nigeria Police Force鈥檚 efforts aimed at ensuring the safety and security of all citizens while upholding the constitutional right to peaceful assembly.

鈥淒uring the meeting, the IGP emphasised the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protests.

Photo collage: Sahara Reporters

鈥淗e acknowledged the group鈥檚 right to express their concerns through peaceful protests and reiterated the Police Force鈥檚 duty to facilitate such rights within the bounds of the law.

The statement noted: 鈥淭he IGP has advised the Take It Back Movement, who have indicated their interest to protest, to engage with the respective State Police Commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the safety of participants and the general public.鈥�

Egbetokun advises against 鈥榰nplanned open and unnecessary processions鈥�

The Police authorities also stated Egbetokun said this is also 鈥渢o pre-empt any security challenges and ensuring that the protests proceed peacefully.鈥�

The Police authorities further said: 鈥淎dditionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose.

鈥淗e stressed that organising and coordinating with the Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks, protect the rights of all citizens, and protect the well-being of all involved.

鈥淭he Inspector-General of Police while reiterating that the Force remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring that all public gatherings are conducted safely and securely, calls on stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment during the planned protests.鈥�

Adegboruwa lists venues of planned protest

绿帽献妻 reports Adegboruwa, human rights lawyer and representative of the 鈥淭ake It Back Movement鈥�, earlier Tuesday, July 30, had listed and sent venues of the protest in some major cities across the country to the Nigeria Police.

In his response to a previous letter by IGP Egbetokun, requesting 鈥渁 meeting with the organisers of the protest鈥�, the lawyer had enumerated the venues as the Eagles Square, in Abuja; Alausa Park by Secretariat in Lagos; Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, in Ibadan; and Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State capital.

Others are Opposite School of Agric, Bauchi, along Tafawa Balewa Road: Opposite Wema Bank, Akpakpava Lane, Benin City; Maiduguri Roundabout; Opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State; and Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium, in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria.

Report indicated though the list of protest venues is still expanding, the enumerated venues were the ones Adegboruwa has already sent to IGP Egbetokun early Tuesday, July 30.

The lawyer also requested an extension of the meeting to include other stakeholders, requesting that the meeting be held virtually, and led by another human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN.

The Lagos-based lawyer specifically, mentioned that the meeting would be led by Falana, and would also have in attendance representatives of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), other lawyers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs).

The letter states in part, 鈥淲e act as solicitors to the 鈥楾ake It Back Movement鈥�, and refer to our letter on the above subject-matter dated July 26, 2024 and your response thereto dated July 29, 2024, Ref. CJ:2400/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.1/10, which we have passed to our Client with instructions to respond thereto as follows.

鈥淥ur Client acknowledges the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police towards (sic) complying with extant legislations granting citizens the right to hold public meetings, public rallies and public processions and the lawful discharge of the obligations placed upon the Police to provide adequate coverage and protection at the venues.鈥�

The movement鈥檚 representative further noted: 鈥淲e shall be glad to have the contact details of the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and the Commissioners of Police designated to cover the said public meetings, public rallies and public processions, to ensure a peaceful and crisis-free outing.

鈥淲e shall update you with further details in the course of time, hoping that the above information suffices for planning and strategy. We are delighted to attend the meeting with the Inspector-General of Police as requested.鈥�

Adegboruwa said: 鈥淗owever, in order to achieve enlarged participation, we request that the said meeting be held virtually, in order to give room for all stakeholders to attend.

鈥淪pecifically, we will be led in the said meeting by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, the NBA, other lawyers and civil society organisations. We await the Zoom link for the said virtual meeting.

鈥淲hile thanking you for your kind consideration and support, please accept the best assurances of our highest regards, always.鈥�

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