The Take It Back movement allegedly declined to provide information about the statewide protests that are set to start today, according to Nigerian police.
Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun disclosed the information in a statement on Wednesday.
“In line with what operates in any civilized clime, 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,” the statement said. “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.”
It went on to say that it was a necessary move in the interests of the organisers and those who might want to participate in the demonstration, as the Nigeria Police Force owed them the same duty of security.
However, Inibehe Effiong, a lawyer and member of a team that attended a meeting with the police and civil society to discuss how to prevent the protest from devolving into violence, stated that Mr Egbetokun failed to respond to queries about thugs threatening civilians to stop protesting in Lagos.
Mr Effiong stated, “I specifically questioned the IG if he was aware of the trending video in circulation showing certain thugs in Lagos threatening to unleash violence on protestors and urging people not to attend the rally.
He said, “I also asked him whether he would advise the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to arrest the aforementioned thugs as a deterrent to those preparing to cause trouble. Unfortunately, the IG did not respond to this particular question, despite being reminded of it by other participants.”
