Hunger protests organisers refused to provide details of nationwide demonstrations, police allege
The Nigerian police have said the Take It Back movement refused to furnish details of nationwide protests scheduled to commence today.The police made the disclosure in a statement by Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Wednesday.The statement indicated, “The Nigeria Police Force has in the last few days engaged with the leadership of the Take It Back movement and also through their accredited solicitors, and made it clear that in line with what operates in any civilised climes, they should submit to the respective state commissioners of police where they intend to carry out their protests, including the Federal Capital Territory, the venue/route of their assembly, congregation or procession; the commencement and closing time during the day, the modus operandi of the protests and other information necessary to guide the police, as well as other members of the public, who are equally entitled to their constitutional right of movement.’’It added that it was a necessary measure in the interest of the organisers and those who may want to participate in the protest, as the Nigeria Police Force equally owed them a duty of protection.However, Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer and member of a team who attended a meeting with the police and civil society to deliberate on how to ensure the protest does not degenerate into violence, said Mr Egbetokun failed to answer questions on thugs threatening citizens against protesting in Lagos.Mr Effiong said, “I asked the IG specifically if he was aware of the trending video in circulation showing some thugs in Lagos threatening to unleash violence on protesters and warning people not to join the protest?He added, “I also asked him if he will direct the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to arrest the said thugs to serve as a deterrent to those planning to cause unrest. The IG, sadly, did not address this particular question, despite the fact that he was reminded of my question by other participants.”
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