The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has instructed top police officials to ensure the safety of participants in the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protest, scheduled for August 1 to 10, 2024.
This directive came in response to a request from prominent human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.
On July 26, 2024, Adegboruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), had written to the IGP on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, one of the groups organizing the protest, seeking police protection for demonstrators.
According to The PUNCH, the IGP’s response, dated July 29, 2024, and signed by his Principal Staff Officer, CP Johnson Adenola, indicated that senior police officers across the nation have been instructed to provide the necessary security.
“I am to inform you that the Inspector General of Police has directed the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Operations and Intelligence), the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters, and the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of State Commands across the country to attend to your request,” CP Adenola stated.
Additionally, the IGP has requested a meeting with Adegboruwa in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to discuss the matter further.
This protest, aimed at addressing economic hardships exacerbated by recent government policies such as the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of forex windows, has gained significant traction on social media.
Despite warnings from police, military, and the Department of State Services, and appeals from politicians to cancel the rallies, organizers and participants remain resolute.
Scheduled to take place in all states and the nation’s capital, the protest highlights the growing frustration among Nigerians facing soaring food prices and severe inflation.
