Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has urged groups planning to participate in the proposed nationwide protest to submit their details.
He ordered the planners to hand it over to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, he emphasized ensuring the protest remains peaceful.
Egbetokun stated, “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 provide the following information: proposed protest routes and assembly points, expected duration of the protest, and names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.”
He added that the information should also include measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements and key identifiers for isolating potential troublemakers. By providing this information, the police can deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.
Specific routes and areas for the protest need to be communicated to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
Other guidelines issued by Egbetokun include establishing clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise, minimizing the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
He encouraged all protesters 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.
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