Kayode Egbetokun, acting inspector general of police, issued a warning to members of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) regarding their planned protest on Wednesday.
According to the Daily Post, the unions had planned a nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu’s removal of petroleum subsidies.
However, Egbetokun cautioned that while he recognizes the right to nonviolent protest, the police will not permit violent demonstrations.
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The IGP urged all parties to ensure that the planned demonstrations were peaceful in order to prevent criminals from hijacking them, particularly in significant cosmopolitan cities, in a statement that the Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, signed.
According to the statement, the IGP ordered the Commissioners of Police and Supervisory Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to engage in productive discussions with the leadership of the labor unions in order to cultivate understanding and reach a consensus regarding the planned protests.
Adejobi cited the IGP as saying that a peaceful and coordinated approach is necessary to prevent any form of violence or disruptions of public order should the demonstrations continue.
He stated that the police are committed to guaranteeing the safety and security of citizens during the demonstrations and that all necessary measures have been taken to facilitate the peaceful conduct of the protests.
“However, it is reiterated that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes, such as vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion, will be met with a firm, professional, and proportional legal response. The statement emphasized that the Police will not tolerate any act that compromises the peace and safety of our nation.
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He stated that the police are fully prepared to deploy all available resources to safeguard lives and property, and he urged all officers to be vigilant, and professional, and adhere to the highest standards of conduct during the demonstration.
The head of the Police Department urged union leaders and other civil society organizations to engage in peaceful dialogue as the most effective method for resolving grievances.
