The Police have pledged to enforce the court order restricting protests to designated areas during the planned nationwide demonstrations,Daily Trust reports.
According to Daily Trust, many aggrieved Nigerians, particularly young people, have called for protests starting August 1 due to rising costs.
Despite government efforts to manage the situation, the protesters insisted on exercising their democratic rights.
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, met with some organizers, urging them to confine their protests, but they refused.
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Hours before the scheduled protest, various states obtained court orders confining protesters to specific venues.
Kwara, Ogun, Lagos, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) all secured court orders limiting protesters to designated areas.
Reacting to this, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer SP Benjamin Hundeyin stated that the order would be enforced in Lagos.
“The command has received an order from a court of competent jurisdiction restricting peaceful public protests, rallies, processions, and meetings to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ikorodu Road, Ojota Lagos, and Peace Park, Ketu, Lagos, from 8 am to 6 pm on August 1–10, 2024.
“The Nigeria Police Force, as a law enforcement agency, will duly enforce this order.
“The command assures everyone willing to join the proposed protests that maximum security will be provided at the indicated locations.”
The police urged protesters to adhere to security arrangements to prevent any breakdown of law and order and to avoid the protests being hijacked.
Residents were also encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. CP Fayoade reassured peace-loving Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation.
Hundeyin emphasized that the command would not allow any person or group to infringe on others’ fundamental human rights, including the right to freedom of movement and dignity.
“Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, has assured Lagosians that the Command has put necessary measures in place to ensure the safety of lives and property, free flow of traffic, and a peaceful environment for carrying out their lawful duties.
“This assurance is necessary following news about nationwide protests scheduled to start on Thursday, August 1, 2024, an action that could disrupt commercial activities and obstruct the free flow of traffic,” the statement read.
