The police have committed to enforcing a court order that restricts protests to specific areas during the planned nationwide demonstrations.

Daily Gazette reports that many Nigerians, particularly young people, have organized protests starting August 1 due to rising costs, despite government attempts to address the issue.

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Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with some of the protest organizers, urging them to confine their demonstrations to designated areas, but the organizers rejected this proposal.

As the protests approached, courts in various states, including Kwara, Ogun, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), issued orders confining the protesters to specific venues.

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In Lagos, Police Public Relations Officer SP Benjamin Hundeyin stated that the order would be enforced.

“The command has received an order from a court of competent jurisdiction restricting peaceful public protest, rallies, procession and meetings to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota Lagos and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos from 8 am to 6 pm on 1st – 10th August, 2024. The Nigeria Police Force, as a law enforcement agency, shall duly enforce this order,” Hundeyin said.

The police assured that maximum security would be provided at the designated locations and urged protesters to comply with the security arrangements to prevent any breakdown of law and order or hijacking of the protests.

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Residents were also advised to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, reassured the public that measures were in place to ensure the safety of lives and property, free flow of traffic, and a peaceful environment for lawful activities.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has assured Lagosians that the Command has emplaced necessary measures to ensure safety of lives and property, free flow of traffic and a peaceful environment for carrying out their respective lawful duties,” the statement read.

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The police emphasized that no individual or group would be allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, including freedom of movement and dignity.

Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has made a public appeal to Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ensure the safety of Nigerian youths participating in tomorrow’s protest against hunger and the struggling economy.

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In a statement released to Vanguard on Wednesday, Adegboruwa emphasized that security forces must avoid using violence against protesters, stressing that “protesters are our children and our own citizens. They certainly do not deserve bullets and crackdowns.”

Adegboruwa also called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to reconsider the policies of oil subsidy removal and currency devaluation, which he argues have exacerbated the economic crisis in Nigeria.

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In his statement, Adegboruwa praised the organizers of the Hunger and End Bad Governance Protests for their dedication and patriotism.

He acknowledged the significant efforts put into organizing the protests and criticized the administration’s response, saying, “Since the announcement of the protests, the administration of President Tinubu has become unduly jittery, pandering to primordial ethnic and religious sentiments, to save face.”

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Adegboruwa pointed out the severe food inflation affecting Nigerians, with staples like yam, gaari, rice, and beans becoming unaffordable for many.

He criticized the government’s economic policies, stating, “The economic policies of the Tinubu administration are suffocating the people out of their existence.”

Appeals:

To the President
Adegboruwa urged President Tinubu to address the economic hardships by reversing the oil subsidy removal and currency devaluation policies.

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He highlighted the need to curtail government wastage and criticized lavish expenditures such as purchasing a new jet for the President and renovating the Vice-President’s residence for ₦21 billion while ordinary Nigerians suffer.

He called for an end to bad governance, including the distribution of significant funds for religious pilgrimages while providing minimal support to students through loans.

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To Security and Law Enforcement Agencies
Adegboruwa’s second appeal was directed at security agencies. He emphasized the legal right to peaceful protest and urged the police to protect unarmed civilians. He insisted that no bullets should be fired, no arbitrary arrests should be made, and the military should not be deployed to handle the protest.

“The protesters are our children and our own citizens. They certainly do not deserve bullets and crackdowns,” he stated.

To the Protesters:

Adegboruwa also addressed the protesters, acknowledging the impact of their actions and the government’s response. He encouraged them to keep the protests orderly and peaceful, and to adhere to the planned locations for their demonstrations. He suggested limiting the protests to one or, at most, three days to facilitate dialogue with the government.

He expressed his support for the protesters, offering to join in further engagements with the government to address their demands. “I have no doubt that you have the capacity to prosecute the protests as intended and that you have the support and prayers of the majority of our people, in all your actions. But let us give room for more dialogue,” he added.

The Need for More Engagements:

Adegboruwa concluded by stressing the importance of continued dialogue with the government. He called on the protest organizers to form teams to engage with various government agents for immediate action on their concerns.

“God bless you all,” Adegboruwa said in his closing remarks, highlighting his appeals for peace, progress, and tranquility in Nigeria.