The Nigerian police have accused the Take It Back movement of failing to provide essential details for their planned nationwide protests set to begin today.
This was revealed in a statement by Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday.
According to the statement, the police have engaged with the movement’s leadership and their legal representatives, stressing the necessity for organizers to submit protest details to state commissioners of police.
This includes specifying the venue and route, start and end times, the protest’s modus operandi, and other relevant information to ensure public safety.
“The Nigeria Police Force has in the last few days engaged with the leadership of the Take It Back movement and their accredited solicitors, making it clear that they should submit to the respective state commissioners of police where they intend to carry out their protests, including the Federal Capital Territory, the venue/route of their assembly, congregation, or procession; the commencement and closing time during the day, the modus operandi of the protests and other information necessary to guide the police, as well as other members of the public, who are equally entitled to their constitutional right of movement,” the statement read.
The police stated that this measure aims to protect both the organizers and participants, asserting their duty to ensure everyone’s safety during the demonstrations.
However, Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer and member of the civil society team that met with the police, blamed Inspector-General Egbetokun for not addressing concerns about threats from thugs in Lagos.
Effiong highlighted a viral video showing individuals threatening violence against protesters and questioned why the police had not acted against these threats.
“I asked the IG specifically if he was aware of the trending video in circulation showing some thugs in Lagos threatening to unleash violence on protesters and warning people not to join the protest,” Effiong stated.
“I also asked him if he will direct the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to arrest the said thugs to serve as a deterrent to those planning to cause unrest. The IG, sadly, did not address this particular question, despite the fact that he was reminded of my question by other participants.”
