October 1 Protests: Group Writes IGP Egbetokun On Police Protection

Group Writes Police on October 1 Protests

Liberal group, Take-It-Back movement, has officially informed the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, of its planned Octorber 1st, 2024, #FearlessInOctober protests.

The Group issued this letter to the IGP on Friday through its Counsel, Inibehe Effiong.

The group says the protests are against bad governance and a call for accountability from public officers of all levels.

Counsel to the Group and human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, in the letter issued, states that the protests is a rallying call for all Nigerians to speak up against the present hardship beinmg faced.

Take-It-Back Movement stressed their peaceful approach to airing their concerns and implored the Police to avail participants of the protests maximum protection as it kicks off on Independence Day.

“We remain a public interest law firm committed to promoting social justice and human rights in Nigeria. Acting on the express instruction of the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, (our Clients), we write to notify you, pursuant to Section 83(4) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, of our Clients’ intention to organize a peaceful protest across various locations in Nigeria on the 1st of October, 2024.

“Our clients, a concerned citizens’ group will be staging the peaceful protest on 1 of October, 2024, to demand an end to bad governance and advocate for accountability from those in power. This protest is intended to serve as a call to action against the current socio-economic challenges confronting our dear country, Nigeria,” the letter stated.

According to the Group, the protests will hold in the following locations across the federation:

Lagos State: Ikeja, under Bridge, Ogun State: Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Osun State: OAU Campus gate, lie-Ife, Ondo State: Cathedral Roundabout, Akure, Delta State: Amukpe Roundabout, Sapele and Gombe State: Rainbow Roundabout.

Other states are: Kwara State: Post Office. Underbridge, Adamawa State: Police Roundabout, Jimetta, Rivers State: Pleasure Park, Portharcourt, Yobe State: Damaturu Main Roundabout,nBorno State: Arewa Youths for Peace Office and Abuja: Eagle Square.

Effiong reminded the Police that it owed protesters the right to security once it had duly informed them of their planned protests.

“Sir, by virtue of Section 83(4) of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, where a person or organization notifies the police of their intention to hold a public meeting, rally or procession on a public highway or such meetings in a place where the public has access to, the police officer responsible for the area where the meeting or procession will take place, shall mobilize personnel to provide security for the meeting, rally or procession.

“In view of the above section of the Nigeria Police Act, 2020 which governs the operations of police officers in Nigeria, we respectfully request that you issue directives to Commissioners of Police across the designated protest areas and all relevant departments to provide adequate security measures, ensuring the protection of lives and property during the protest.

“We respectfully demand that the constitutionally guaranteed rights of our Clients are respected and not infringed upon as they embark on the peaceful protest,” Effiong stated.