Egbetokun: Police not against peaceful protest — but we won’t allow arson

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), says the police will manage the planned nationwide protest in the “most professional manner”.

Egbetokun spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a meeting with strategic police managers, which included officers from the rank of commissioners and above.

There have been reports that some Nigerians, under different groups, 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.