Kayode Egbetokun, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, has warned members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) about their planned protest on Wednesday.
According to news reports, the unions organized a statewide protest over President Bola Tinubu’s elimination of fuel subsidies.
However, Egbetokun emphasized that, while he supports the right to peaceful protest, violent demonstrations will be prohibited.
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The IGP advised all parties involved in the scheduled demonstrations to conduct it peacefully to avoid being hijacked by miscreants, especially in large cosmopolitan cities, in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi.
According to the statement, the IGP directed the Commissioners of Police and Supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to hold successful meetings with labor union leaders in order to develop understanding and achieve common ground on the scheduled protests.
According to Adejobi, the IGP stated that a peaceful and coordinated approach is critical to preventing any kind of violence or disruption of public order if the protests continue.
He stated that the police are committed to safeguarding the safety and security of citizens during the protests, and that all essential precautions have been put in place to ensure the peaceful conduct of the demonstrations.
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“However, it is hereby reaffirmed that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes viz-a-viz vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion will be met with a firm, professional and commensurate lawful approach. The Police will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of our country,” the statement emphasised.
He stated that the police department is fully prepared to deploy all resources to safeguard lives and property, and he urged all officers to remain cautious, professional, and adhere to the highest standards of conduct throughout the protest.
The Commissioner of Police advised union leaders and other civil society organizations to adopt peaceful conversation as the most efficient way of addressing disputes.
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