Protest: Sanwo-Olu meets with civil society and sues for peace

Sanwo-Olu spoke out against the wanton damage of public and private property, which occurred during the October 2020 demonstration.

He pointed out that some people who issue threats may have ulterior objectives to undermine law and order.
Submit your names and details to the police. IGP informs protesters
Police authorities are requesting information about the demonstrators ahead of the protest.

While briefing journalists in Abuja on Friday, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, explicitly requested that all groups planning to engage in the demonstrations submit their information to the commissioners of police in their respective states.

He explained that the protest was peaceful.

“We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest,” according to the police chief.

“However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide all necessary information to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest will 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 IG noted that the information expected from the organisers will include measures to prevent hijacking by criminal groups, as well as vital identifiers for potential troublemakers to be isolated.

Hijacking
Concerned about the likelihood of the protest being hijacked by criminal groups, the IGP stated that the police authorities required the essential intelligence to identify possible troublemakers.

He emphasized the police’s intention to deploy appropriate personnel and resources to ensure public safety, stating that the Force must be aware of the protest’s precise routes and places in order to avoid confrontations with other events or activities.

The IGP also issued additional directions to the protestors, instructing them to “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.”

To ensure a safe and successful exercise of their rights, we encourage all demonstrators to cooperate with authorities, observe the law, and follow worldwide best practices for peaceful assembly.

No Love for Nigeria.
On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu commented on the planned nationwide protests, claiming that the organizers do not love the country.

Though he did not name any sponsors, he stated that individuals advocating for the protests had alternative passports and conduct meetings all around the world.

“Protest sponsors do not love our country. They have no affection for the nation. They don’t grasp citizenship. They have alternative passports,” Tinubu said at the Presidential Villa while receiving a delegation of Islamic leaders led by Sheikh Bala Lau.

They are gathering remotely from various locations throughout the world. We don’t want to turn Nigeria into Sudan. We are discussing starvation, not graves. We have to be cautious. We should exercise caution while engaging in premature politics, particularly politics of hatred and rage.

“The internet has enabled us to hold meetings in fake circumstances. “They hold meetings and incite anger,” the President said in a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale.

President Tinubu said that protests, fueled by rage and hatred, might devolve into violence and put the country behind.