The protests, scheduled for August, aim to address economic hardship, inflation, and the government's policies. Despite warnings from security agencies and politicians, the organizers remain resolute. Adegboruwa had requested police protection for protesters, and the IGP agreed to provide security at designated locations.
However, Adegboruwa emphasized the need for street processions before converging at specific points. He also urged the police to focus on potential thugs and troublemakers. The organizers cannot predict the number of participants, as the protests are open to all Nigerians.
The IGP assured the organizers that the police would provide security at designated locations and potentially during street processions, depending on available manpower. The organizers are advised to notify local police authorities of their requests for security cover.
The Updates:
Organizers of the upcoming #EndBadGovernance nationwide protests, scheduled for August, have dismissed the suggestion from Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to restrict demonstrations to specific areas.
During a meeting on Tuesday, the IGP proposed that protests be limited to designated locations and advised against street rallies. This suggestion was promptly rejected by Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), a lawyer representing the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups spearheading the nationwide demonstrations.
The virtual meeting, which included prominent figures such as human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), representatives from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), and other civil society organizations, was held to discuss the protest plans.
The protests, aimed at addressing economic hardships and gaining significant traction online, are set to take place in all states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, in August. The recent surge in food and commodity prices, coupled with severe inflation and economic challenges from government policies on petrol subsidies and forex unification, has fueled the public's desire for change.
Authorities, including the police, military, and the Department of State Services, have cautioned against demonstrations similar to those seen in Kenya. Politicians have expressed concerns that the upcoming protests might resemble the EndSARS movement of October 2020, urging youths to reconsider. Despite these warnings, the organizers remain resolute about proceeding with the rallies.
On July 26, 2024, Adegboruwa requested police protection for the protesters. In his response dated July 29, 2024, the IGP instructed senior officers to address the lawyer's request and subsequently arranged a meeting with Adegboruwa in Abuja on July 30, 2024, to discuss further. Adegboruwa opted for a virtual meeting, including Falana and other NBA members.
During the meeting, Adegboruwa outlined key protest locations such as Eagle Square in Abuja, Alausa Park in Lagos, and several others across different cities. He emphasized the need for police attention to be directed towards individuals and groups inciting violence, rather than focusing on the peaceful demonstrators.
The IGP however assured that security would be provided at designated locations for the protests. He also suggested that if state police commissioners have sufficient personnel, they could oversee the street processions. Organizers were advised to communicate directly with local police chiefs to arrange for security during both street protests and confined demonstrations.
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