The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has requested to meet representatives of the Take-It-Back Movement and their lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN) on Tuesday, July 30, 2024 at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
The meeting is over the planned protest against the economic hardship in the country tagged #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.
The letter dated July 29, 2024 with Ref. No CJ: 2400/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.1/10, obtained by SaharaReporters, was addressed to Adegboruwa and signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police, CP Johnson Q. Adenola.
The letter said the meeting is aimed at deliberating further on the request for police protection during the protest.
The letter titled Re: Notice Of Public Meetings/Rallies/Processions And Request For Police Coverage followed a letter written by Adegboruwa on behalf of TIB, notifying the Nigeria Police Force about the protest and other events.
It also requested police protection to ensure peaceful execution of the events.
The letter sent to the lawyer reads, “I have the honour to convey the warm compliments of the Inspector-General of Police and acknowledge receipt of your letter A&C/RC/L-21/07/2024 dated 26th July, 2024 on the above underlined subject.
“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 in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters, and the Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands across the country to attend to your request.
“I am to also inform you that the Inspector-General of Police wishes to have a meeting with you at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja on Tuesday, 30th July, 2024 to deliberate further on your request.
“While looking forward to your attendance, accept the assurances of the esteemed regards of the Inspector-General of Police, please.”
The Inspector-General of Police had directed all DIGs across the country to ensure the safety of the protesters across the country.
Last Friday, SaharaReporters reported that the Take-It-Back Movement, a pro-democracy group, had formally notified the Inspector-General of Police of its plan to hold public meetings, rallies, and processions in conjunction with other patriotic Nigerians and organisations.
In a letter dated July 26, 2024, and received by the Inspector-General’s office on the same day, the group requested police coverage for the events.
The letter, written by the group’s lawyer, Adegboruwa, served as a formal notice of the upcoming gatherings and sought police protection to ensure their peaceful execution.
According to the letter, the application was made pursuant to sections 39 and 40 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 as amended and also section 83 of the Police Act, 2020, the latter which provides as follows: “83 (1) The Police Force is responsible for maintaining and securing public safety and public order.
“(2) The Police Force shall, in carrying out its responsibilities under subsection (1): (a) uphold the provisions of the Constitution and other laws;
“(b) uphold and protect the fundamental rights of all persons in Nigeria, and (c)be fair to all persons in Nigeria notwithstanding their economic status or religious, ethnic or political beliefs and affiliations.
“(4)Where a person or organisation notifies the police of his or its intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway, or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting, rally or procession will take place, shall mobilise personnel to provide security cover for the meeting, rally or procession.”
The letter informed the police chief that the planned meetings, rallies, and processions would take place from August 1-10, 2024, or potentially later, at the following locations: “Eagle Square in Abuja, Public spaces in the capital cities of all 36 states and Headquarters of the 774 local government councils.”
It further noted that the events will commence at 8 am and continue uninterrupted until their conclusion.
Additionally, the meetings, rallies, and processions may spill over onto public highways and other areas of public access, according to Adegboruwa.
“We will be glad to have the details of any police officer or police team that you may assign to cover the said meetings, rallies, processions in order to harmonize the plans and strategies of the said public meetings, rallies, processions.
“While thanking you for your kind consideration and support, you may wish to contact the undersigned for further information or inquiry,” the letter read.
