Protesters to IGP: Give us contact details of senior police officers to protect us

The Take it Back Movement has requested the Inspector General of Police to provide the contact details of the senior police officers that he promised will give protection to its members during the nationwide protest slated for August 1 to 10.

The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun had in a letter on Monday, signed by his Principal Staff Officer, Johnson Adenola, to Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa who is the lawyer to the Movement, promised police protection to the protesters. He had also requested to meet with Adegboruwa.

The letter signed by the notable human rights lawyer, said:  “We act as solicitors to the TAKE IT BACK MOVEMENT, and refer to our letter on the above subject-matter dated July 26, 2024 and your response thereto dated July 29, 2024, Ref. CJ:2400/IGP.SEC/ABJ/VOL.1/10, which we have passed to our Client with instructions to respond thereto as follows.

“Our Client acknowledges the commitment of the Inspector-General of Police towards complying with extant legislations granting citizens the right to hold public meetings, public rallies and public processions and the lawful discharge of the obligations placed upon the police to provide adequate coverage and protection at the venues.

“We shall be glad to have the contact details of the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and the Commissioners of Police designated to cover the said public meetings, public rallies and public processions, to ensure a peaceful and crisis-free outing.

“Please find below the details of SOME of the points of convergence for the said public meetings, rallies and processions.

1. ABUJA: Eagle’s Square, by the Secretariat, FCT, Abuja.
2. LAGOS: Alausa Park by the Secretariat, Ikeja.
3. BENIN: Opposite Wema Bank, Akpakpava Lane, Benin City.
4. BAUCHI: Opposite School of Agric, Bauchi, along Tafawa Balewa Road.
5. IBADAN: Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
6. YOBE: Maiduguri Roundabout, opposite State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State.
7. RIVERS: Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium.
8. OSHOGBO: Freedom Park, Osogbo.

“We shall update you with further details in the course of time, hoping that the above information suffices for planning and strategy. We are delighted to attend the meeting with the Inspector-General of Police as requested. However, in order to achieve enlarged participation, we request that the said meeting be held virtually, in order to give room for all stakeholders to attend. Specifically, we will be led in the said meeting by Mr. Femi Falana, SAN, the NBA, other lawyers and civil society organisations. We await the Zoom link for the said virtual meeting.

“While thanking you for your kind consideration and support, please accept the best assurances of our highest regards, always”.