The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, cautioned on Tuesday that the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1 is misguided and should be shelved.
Egbetokun advised Nigerians to withdraw their support for the protest and refrain from participating.
The IG’s remark was a response to the growing social media movement urging citizens to take to the streets on August 1 to protest the economic difficulties plaguing the nation.
During a meeting with Police Commissioners in Abuja, Egbetokun pointed out that Nigeria has experienced its share of violent protests, which have resulted in devastating outcomes.
The IG added that the last #EndSARS protest exacerbated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country.
Persecondnews recalls that the #EndSARS protest started from October 8, 2020 to November 20, 2020 with the hundreds of the protesters forcibly dispersed by soldiers and police at Lekki Toll Gate, Lagos.
He said: “Before concluding this address, it is important that I address an issue of urgent national importance that appears to have gained some momentum, particularly on social media, in the past few weeks.
“Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategizing and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests.
“While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder. As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences.
“The last #EndSars protest led to the one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, and the loss of several lives.
“Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise. Rather than lead to any positive outcome, EndSars merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country.
“Indeed, we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these protests.”
Egbetokun appealed to the citizens to abandon the planned protest, emphasizing that the police are committed to safeguarding the lives and properties of all citizens.
He said: “Hence, our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously.
“We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities.
“We will therefore not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleash violence on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again.
“We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and dissolving Nigerians.
“Consequently, I want to seize this opportunity to sound the note of serious warning to hoodlums who may want to take laws into their own hands in the name of protests. Do not worry.”
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