Foreign Sponsors Behind Impending Nationwide Protests — IGP

The inspector-general of police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun, has said that the Nigeria Police Police (NPF) has identified foreign sponsors of the planned August 1-10 protest with the ulterior motives of causing mayhem and violence, which could lead to massive destruction of lives and properties across the country.

The IGP, however, did not reveal the identities of the suspected sponsors.

He also said the leaders of different groups intending to protest on August 1, 2024, must register with the police command in their respective states.

The IGP stated this while briefing journalists in Abuja on the preparations for the upcoming hardship protests across the country.

The IGP, who acknowledged the rights of citizens to protest, said all peaceful protesters must be protected and those who fail to meet with the guidelines means they have ulterior motives.

IGP Egbetokun further said that all protesting groups must also provide the intended venue, routes and locations of the protest movement for proper coordination.

Meanwhile, in anticipation of the planned nationwide hardship protest by some human rights activists and Nigerian youths to publicly express their displeasure over hunger and hardship in the country, the FCT Command of the Nigeria Police Force has deployed 4,200 personnel in the Territory.

The FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said material and human resources at the Command’s disposal were deployed across the nooks and crannies of the nation’s capital Territory.

She said the proactive deployment, which was aimed at ensuring public safety, protection of protesters, and preventing protests from being hijacked by non-state actors, was characterised by visibility policing, the deployment of explosive ordinance devices (EOD) experts and personnel at various strategic locations, raids on identified black spots, uncompleted buildings/shanties, stop and search, vehicular and foot patrol and synergy with sister security agencies.

Also, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Benneth Igweh, while acknowledging the right of residents to protest, advised that the exercise should be peaceful.

The FCT police boss also vowed to resist all forms of violent protest and lawlessness, as the police will not be stampeded into allowing the destruction of public and private properties or loss of lives.

The statement added that residents were also urged to be vigilant and take advantage of the Police emergency lines to report suspicious activities through: 08032003913, 08028940883, 08061581938, 07057337653 PCB: 09022222352, CRU: 08107314192.