Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has directed senior police officers to protect protesters during the demonstrations scheduled from August 1 to 10, 2024.
This directive follows a formal request by human rights lawyer, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa. On July 26, 2024, Adegboruwa wrote to the IGP, seeking police protection for the protesters. In response, the IGP, through a letter dated July 29, 2024, instructed top police personnel to comply with the senior lawyer’s request.
The letter, signed by the IGP’s Principal Staff Officer, CP Johnson Adenola, stated: “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.”
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In addition to the directive, the IGP requested a meeting with Adegboruwa at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to further discuss the matter. “I am also to inform you that the Inspector General of Police wishes to have a meeting with you at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, to deliberate further on your request,” CP Adenola added.
This development underscores the police force’s commitment to safeguarding the rights of citizens to peacefully protest and ensuring that the demonstrations proceed without incident.
The meeting between the IGP and Adegboruwa is expected to solidify the plans for maintaining order and protecting participants during the protests.