The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has said police will provide adequate security for the planned nationwide protests if the actors conduct themselves in peaceful manner.
Egbetokun said this in Abuja on Tuesday, during a meeting with strategic police managers, which included officers from the rank of commissioners and above.
Some Nigerians under the banner of ‘EndBadGovernance’, are planning a nationwide protest between August 1 and 10 against the rising cost of living and the economic hardship in the country.
The IGP said the police are committed to ensuring the protection of citizens during the demonstration.
He said maintaining law and order during the protest would not be difficult if the protesters remained peaceful.
Egbetokun added that “the right to protest is inherently a right to peaceful protest”.
“So we are prepared, and I want to assure you that we will manage the protest in the most professional manner,” NAN quoted Egbetokun as saying.
“If the protest is peaceful, you will see us protecting the protesters as long as they remain peaceful.
“But we have a duty to protect lives and property, so we will not sit back and watch hoodlums burning down facilities in the name of protest.
“So we are not against peaceful protest; we will support peaceful protest by protecting those who will engage in peaceful protest.
“No civilised society will tolerate violent protest. Violent protest is criminal, but peaceful protest is a right.”
He urged Nigerian youths to shun those instigating violent protests, adding that some individuals have been calling for an imitation of demonstration in Kenya, which has entered its sixth week.
