As the nationwide protests set to begin on August 1 draw near, police authorities are calling for detailed information about the demonstrators.
In a press briefing held in Abuja on Friday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun urged all groups intending to participate in the demonstrations to submit their details to the commissioners of police in their respective states.
“We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest,” IGP Egbetokun stated. “However, in the interest of public safety and order, we urge all groups planning to protest to provide necessary details to the Commissioner of Police in the state where the protest is intended to take place.”
The police chief emphasized the need for transparency to ensure the protests remain peaceful and incident-free. The required details include:
– Proposed protest routes and assembly points,
– Expected duration of the protest,
– Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.
Additionally, IGP Egbetokun highlighted the importance of preventive measures to avoid any hijacking of the protests by criminal elements. He requested organizers to outline key identifiers to help isolate potential troublemakers.
The police’s request aims to facilitate a peaceful and orderly protest while safeguarding public safety.