Police ask protest organisers to submit their names, contact addresses

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), says organisers of the planned protest should submit their details to their respective state commissioners.

Egbetokun spoke in Abuja on Friday at a press conference on the heels of a youth-led planned nationwide protest against the rising cost of living in the country.

The planned protest is slated to commence on August 1.

The IGP said providing the information will enable the force to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.

“To facilitate an incident-free protest, they (organisers of protest) should please provide the following information: one, proposed protest route and assembly point; two, expected duration of protest; three, names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers; four, measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers of possible isolation of potential troublemakers,” Egbetokun said.

“Designate specific routes and areas for the protest to avoid conflicts with other events or activities; 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.

“We are committed to working with all Nigerians to promote peaceful expression and maintain public order.”

Earlier, Egbetokun said the police have “credible intelligence” that foreign mercenaries are involved in the planned protest.

He also cautioned that a peaceful protest in the country at the moment may be “ill-timed”.

The federal and state governments, including President Bola Tinubu, have appealed to the youths to shelve the planned protest.

Religious and traditional institutions have equally called for the cancellation of the planned demonstration.

The military and the Department of State Services (DSS) said there are indications that the protest would be hijacked to perpetuate violence.