The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has cautioned against violent protests in the guise of emulating the recent Kenyan demonstrations.
News About Nigeria reports that he advised those planning such protests to abandon the idea, citing the police force’s traumatic experience during the last #EndSARS protest.
Egbetokun emphasised the police’s responsibility to protect lives and properties, and warned against allowing violent activities to disrupt peaceful communities or destroy national assets.
He revealed that background checks on protest organisers and sponsors showed that many were not based in Nigeria and aimed to instigate crisis.
Egbetokun acknowledged the right to peaceful protest but stressed the need to prevent violence and disorder.
He referenced the devastating consequences of previous violent protests, including the destruction of public assets, loss of lives, and increased crime rates.
The police chief assured that measures were in place to apprehend hoodlums disguising themselves as protesters.
He warned against fostering a reign of terror and anarchy, and cautioned individuals against taking the law into their own hands under the pretext of protests.
Egbetokun’s warning comes amid reports of planned protests under the theme #EndBadGovernance, with some groups allegedly mobilising to replicate the Kenyan protests.
The police force is determined to prevent a repeat of the violent consequences of previous protests.
The top cop said, “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.”
