The Nigerian Police Force has explained why it requested for details of Nigerians planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest slated for August 1-10, 2024.
The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyi Adejobi, in a statement on Sunday, denied the accusation of trying to rewrite the constitution over the request for protest organisers’ details.
Adejobi stated that the Police IGP, Olukayode Egbetokun, never denied citizens the right to freedom of association and expression but emphasised the need for peaceful assembly and expression.
According to him, the request for details of protest organisers is a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants, and prevent any unlawful activities.
The Police boss added that allowing faceless groups to operate unchecked could jeopardize the peace and stability of the country and leave citizens with pains, sorrows and tears, as experienced in the 2020 violent EndSARS Protests.
statement read, “The Nigeria Police Force hereby addresses the recent accusations made by one activist, Deji Adeyanju, and others via various fora, alleging that the IGP is attempting to rewrite the Constitution by requesting the details of the organizers and leaders of the planned nationwide protests. It is vital to clarify that the IGP has never denied the constitutional right of every citizen to freedom of association and expression, but has rather, at every point, emphasized that the right is that to peaceful assembly and expression. Also, the Nigeria Police holds the responsibility to ensure that any activity, including protests, does not pose a threat to national security.
In this wise, requesting the details of protest organizers and their leaders and the schedules of their protests which include location, period, routes etc, is a standard procedure to facilitate effective communication, ensure the safety of all participants, and prevent any unlawful activities. It is also vital for Deji Adeyanju to note that in the interest of defence, public safety, public order, public morality or public health; or for the purpose of protecting the rights and freedom of other persons as enshrined in Section 45 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, this request by the IGP is not out of place.
“It is essential to know who is planning the assembly (protests) in each state as allowing faceless groups to operate unchecked could try to operate unchecked could jeopardize the peace and stability of the country, and leave us with pains, sorrows and tears as experienced in the 2020 violent EndSARS Protests. If organized labour and other recognized bodies were involved, it would have provided a more structured and safer environment for such public protests.
“While the Police urges Mr. Adeyanju and other organizers not to mislead Nigerians. We therefore call on them to join hands in working together to uphold the security and well-being of our nation.”