Breaking: IGP finally okays hunger protest, gives organisers conditions

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Friday, asked all groups planning to carry out the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

Egbetokun, who spoke to journalists at Force Headquarters at a press briefing, said the demands were made to ensure the protest was peaceful.

He said, “We acknowledge the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest. 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.

“To facilitate a successful and incident-free protest, they should please provide the following information.”

The IGP listed them as, “1. Guidelines stating the proposed protest routes and assembly points. 2. Expected duration of the protest. 3. Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.

“Measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers. By providing this information, the police will be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.

“Designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities. Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise.

“Minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity. We encourage all protestors to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”

The top cop said they have been monitoring development surrounding protest threats, saying while some groups call for violent protests, emulating Kenya’s recent events, others advocate for peaceful demonstrations.