The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has revealed that credible intelligence at the disposal of the Force identified foreign mercenaries as being involved in the planned nationwide protest.
Egbetokun disclosed this on Friday while briefing newsmen in Abuja, urging Nigerians to be vigilant, exercise caution and weigh the consequences before joining any protest group.
He emphasised the need for all to ensure the protest was peaceful and called on all groups planning to take part in the proposed nationwide protest to identify themselves and submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.
He also advised the organisers and prospective protesters to cooperate with policemen to ensure orderliness and safety, assuring that the police would be available to protect them.
Egbetokun said: “We have been monitoring development surrounding protest threats. While some groups call for violent protests, emulating Kenya’s recent events, others advocate for peaceful demonstrations.
“However, some individuals promote peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity. We have our history of violent protests in Nigeria, and I don’t believe we have to look to other countries to note the dangers of unchecked demonstrations. We commend patriots who have withdrawn from the protest due to the apparent sinister motives and ignorance of those calling for violence.
“We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process. We confirm their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest. The Nigerian police urge all Nigerians to exercise caution and think twice before joining any protest group..
“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 please provide the following information.
“1. We want to know the proposed protest routes and assembly points. 2. Expected duration of the protest. 3. Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers.
“4. Measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers. By providing this information, the police will be enabled to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety. 5. Designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.
“6. Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise. 7. Minimize the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity. We encourage all protestors 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.
“We have done everything we need to do. We have put measures in place to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order in case there is going to be any protest.
“And I just gave the guidelines that protest groups, groups who intend to protest, there are guidelines for them to follow. Once they follow this guideline, we are going to have it peaceful. So my appeal to Nigerians is to remain law-abiding.
“Those who insist that they must come out to protest, please cooperate with the police. The police will be there with you and protect you.”
