The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has directed that no form of protest must be allowed between August 1 and 10, 2024.
This comes amid plans by Nigerians to hold nationwide #EndBadGovernnaceInNigeria protests during the period.
The Nigerian government through the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, has insisted that citizens have the right to protest but that it must be peaceful, as violent protests would be frowned upon.
This position is contrary to a memo from police commissioners to state criminal investigation departments and other police units, stating that no form of protest should be in states.
The leaked memo obtained noted that the directive came from the Inspector General of Police through the Department of Operations in Abuja.
It said that information received “reveals that some unidentified groups are mobilising for mass protest nationwide from 1st to 10th August 2024, find attached handbill for details of their movement,
“The INGENPOL (inspector general of police) directs that you be proactive X mobilise well kitted and equipped personnel yours X synergies with other sister agencies and the military X take over all strategic points in your AOR (Areas of Responsibility) x deploy undercover for intelligence gathering x disperse unlawful gathering x be in heart-to-heart conversation with community stakeholders x no form of protest must be allowed during the period.”
