IGP says foreign mercenaries behind planned mass protest

IGP says foreign mercenaries behind planned mass protest

The Nigeria Police high command has issued a cautionary alert regarding the upcoming nationwide protests, citing credible intelligence about potential manipulation by foreign mercenaries and the involvement of malicious groups aiming to disrupt public order.

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who made the disclosure during a press briefing on Friday in Abuja, urged Nigerians to exercise caution before joining the protest.

He highlighted that even well-intentioned protests could be exploited by groups with criminal agendas.

The police boss made it clear that the police would not tolerate violence, including the killing of innocent citizens, destruction of public and private property, or looting.

While acknowledging the constitutional right of Nigerians to peaceful assembly, the police boss called on all groups planning to participate in the proposed protest to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states.

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The IGP said the decision would enable the police provide adequate security to ensure a peaceful protest devoid of violence.

“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: state the proposed protest routes and assembly points; expected duration of the protest; and names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers.”

The IG added that the information expected from the organizers also includes measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, as well as key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers. He added that by providing the information, the police would be able to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.

He also said the police needed to know the specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities.

Other guidelines, as issued by Egbetokun, are: “Establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.

“We encourage 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.”

IGP says foreign mercenaries behind planned mass protest