Nigerian police authorities on Wednesday night criticised leaders of the Take It Back Movement advocacy group for refusing to comply with a condition requiring them to provide details of the organisers of Thursday's #EndBadGovernance protest.
Kayode Egbetokun, Inspector General of Police, said in a statement that he has therefore directed all police formations across the country to protect the lives and properties of innocent people from attack, harassment, abuse or destruction, while tackling rioters.
“Regrettably, the organisers of the proposed protest have not deemed it necessary to provide the simple and basic information required by the Police, as per the Constitution, the Police Act and all other enabling laws in this regard,” Egbetokun said in the statement.
“In this regard, the Nigerian Police continues to require the organisers of the proposed protest to provide it with the essential information and details mentioned above prior to the commencement of the protest.
“Information available to the Nigerian Police reveals that the protests are aimed at virtually unleashing chaos in politics, markets on innocent citizens, shops, public and private properties as well as critical government infrastructure across the country. The name given to the movement – “TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT” – has far-reaching undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal connotations.”
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Mr. Egbetokun also ordered police officers to “deal decisively” with any act of arson, intimidation or harassment of any citizen, threat to life and property or breach of public order by protesters.
“The perpetrators of any crime will be arrested and prosecuted promptly,” he added.
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“Under the circumstances described, no responsible law enforcement agency anywhere in the civilised or democratic world would sit back and watch the situation degenerate into a state of lawlessness. All police formations across the country are therefore on alert and directed to protect the lives and properties of innocent people from attack, harassment, abuse or destruction,” the police chief said.
“Furthermore, in accordance with the essential duties of the Nigeria Police under the Constitution, the Police Act and other enabling laws, all officers and men of the Nigeria Police are hereby directed to act and deal decisively with any act of arson, intimidation or harassment of any citizen, threat to lives and property, breach of public order and any criminal act that may arise or result from the planned protest in any part of the country. Perpetrators of any criminal offence will be promptly arrested and prosecuted.”
The police chief's threats came a day after he convened a virtual meeting with more than a dozen key activists and youth mobilizers across Nigeria, proposing that they limit protests to specific locations.
The activists rejected his proposal.
The #EndBadGovernance protest is scheduled for August 1-10.
image.twitter.com/uSwuNzguyp
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) July 31, 2024
Read the full statement from the Inspector General of Police below:
PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE REGARDING THE PROTEST PLANNED BY THE TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT
In relation to the above statement made in respect of the proposed/planned nationwide protest by the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, in particular, that while the Nigeria Police Force recognises that any group of citizens can organise a protest in a democracy, provided that rules and regulations, decency, respect for the rule of law and the right of other citizens to move freely and carry out their normal duties and business without any threat or inhibition are adhered to, the Nigeria Police Force wishes to draw the attention of the general public to the following:
2. The Nigerian Police has in the last few days been in touch with the leaders of the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT and also through their accredited lawyers and made it clear that in line with what applies in any civilized climate, they must inform the respective State Commissioners of Police where they intend to hold their protests including the FCT, the venue and route of their meeting, congregation or procession; the time of commencement and closing during the day, the modus operandi of the protests and all other information necessary to guide the Police as well as other members of the public who have the same constitutional right to move about. This is a necessary measure for the benefit of the organizers and those who intend to participate in the protest as the Nigerian Police also owes them a duty of protection.
3. On establishing contact with the Police Commissioners of the respective states, an undertaking should be given or signed that the organisers will be in a position to control, guide and manage any congregation or gathering that comes forward for the protest so that the protests are not hijacked by unscrupulous elements who may want to hide under the pretext of protest to unleash terror or perpetrate mayhem against the innocent public; we are also particularly concerned that there is no loss of life or destruction of property, private or public.
4. Regrettably, the organisers of the proposed protest have not found it necessary to provide the basic and simple information required by the police, in accordance with the Constitution, the Police Act and all other laws empowering the police in this regard. In this regard, the Nigerian Police continues to require the organisers of the proposed protest to provide it with the essential information and details mentioned above prior to the commencement of the protest.
5. Intelligence information available to the Nigerian Police reveals that the protests are aimed at virtually unleashing chaos in politics, markets on innocent citizens, shops, private and public properties as well as critical government infrastructure across the country. The name given to the movement – “TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT” – has far-reaching anti-democratic, unconstitutional and illegal connotations.
6. Under the above circumstances, no responsible law enforcement agency anywhere in the civilized or democratic world would sit back and watch the situation degenerate into a state of lawlessness. All police formations across the country are therefore placed on alert and are hereby directed to protect the lives and properties of the innocent from attack, harassment, nuisance or destruction. Furthermore, in accordance with the essential duties of the Nigeria Police under the Constitution, the Police Act and other enabling laws, all officers and men of the Nigeria Police are hereby directed to act and deal decisively with any act of arson, intimidation or harassment of any citizen, threat to lives and property, breach of public peace and any criminal act that may arise or flow from the planned protest in any part of the country. Perpetrators of any criminal act will be promptly arrested and prosecuted.
7. The attention of the general public is also drawn to this important declaration, enjoining every Nigerian to be guided, protected and properly advised.
Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph. D, NPMInspector General of Police July 31, 2024