Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), a human rights activist has written to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun to notify him of planned public meetings, rallies, and processions organised by a non-governmental body, the Take It Back Movement, all its members, and some patriotic Nigerians and groups.
In the letter dated Friday, July 26, 2024, the senior advocate writing as solicitor to the Take It Back Movement stated that the planned rallies will commence from Aug. 1 to 10, 2024, or any time thereafter at the Eagle Square in Abuja and other public spaces in the capital cities of all the 36 states and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.
However, Adegboruwa reiterated the role of the police during such rallies and protests, and urged the IGP to make available the details of any police officer or police team that will be assigned to cover the said meetings/rallies/ processions to harmonize plans and strategies for the same.
The request comes against the background of warnings from security agencies and groups over the planned protest.
In addition, on Thursday, the Department of State Services (DSS) cautioned against the demonstrations, saying it had identified the sponsors.
Protest May Be Hijacked
However, while the DSS agreed on the citizens’ right to protest, it claimed that some elements plan to hijack it.
“The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments; make them unpopular and pit them against the masses, it said in a statement by its spokesman Peter Afunanya.
“The long-term objective is to achieve a regime change, especially at the Centre.
On the same day, the Minister of the FCT Nyesom Wike maintained that the capital territory was not available for protest just as the police deployed 4,200 personnel ahead of the demonstration.
Also Read: Think Twice Before Joining Any Protest Group – IGP
“The CP vows to resist all forms of violent protest and lawlessness, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives,” the FCT Police Command spokesperson Josephine Adeh said on Friday.
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