IGP meets with take it back movement, paramilitary chiefs ahead of planned protests

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a bid to ensure public safety and security, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, held virtual and physical meetings with key stakeholders ahead of planned protests.

On July 30, 2024, the IGP met virtually with Femi Falana (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), and members of the Take It Back Movement. He emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the planned protests, acknowledging the group’s right to express their concerns through peaceful protests.

The IGP advised the group to liaise with respective State Police Commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests, ensuring safety and pre-empting security challenges. He strongly advised against unplanned processions due to potential dangers.

Photo Credit: CNN

In a separate meeting with paramilitary chiefs in Abuja, the IGP reiterated the government’s commitment to protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful protests while warning against violent demonstrations.

Women couldn’t go out by 7pm around those areas because they would be raped

Security agencies have warned against violent protests, citing the devastating impact of the EndSARS protests.

“I remember the incident of EndSARS when some police stations were burned in Lagos, where women couldn’t go out by 7pm around those areas because they would be raped by these criminals, and we don’t want to go back to that horrific experience,” the IGP said.

Photo Credit: BBC

“The EndSARS scenario will not be repeated, where innocent lives were lost and properties worth trillions were destroyed,” the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has warned.

He stated that security agencies will not allow a repeat of the 2020 EndSARS protests, where lives and properties were lost. The IGP made this statement at a meeting with heads of paramilitary agencies on Tuesday. The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, was attended by heads of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).

He expressed optimism that the economy will bounce back “I believe with the policies like student loans, LG autonomy, and NYIF, our economy will bounce back”, he said.

The IGP’s assurance of economic recovery and warning against violence aim to strike a balance between protecting citizens’ rights and maintaining public safety.

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