Organisers of the nationwide protest against hardship have listed points of convergence for public meetings, rallies and processions across the country.
But a Lagos High Court has restricted protesters in Lagos
taking part in the proposed August 1 nationwide protest to the Gani Fawehinmi
Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park, Ketu area of the state.
Recall that Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun,
had asked organisers of the protest to submit to Force Headquarters contact
details of those organising the protest, as well as designated points and
routes of the protest.
This is even as they asked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, to withdraw soldiers deployed across the Federal Capital Territory and other cities, ahead of the proposed protest.
The IGP, however, buckled yesterday and ordered senior
officers to protect protesters in the planned nationwide protest.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the Nigerian project continued
yesterday, in their call for both organisers of the protest and the federal
government to exercise restraint over the protest, especially given the
pro-government protests in some parts of the country on Monday.
They include Catholic Bishops, the Primate of the Anglican
Church of Nigeria, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, and the former national
chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Uche Secondus, among others.
Ebun Adegboruwa, SAN, solicitor to one of the protest
organisers, Take-it-Back Movement, in a letter to the IGP, listed the points of
convergence for the rallies to include Eagle Square, Abuja; Alausa Park, Lagos,
and Opposite Wema Bank; and Akpakpava Lane, Benin City.
Other locations are opposite the School of Agric, Bauchi;
Rosewale Filling Station, Iwo Road, Ibadan; Maiduguri Roundabout, opposite
State Stadium, Damaturu, Yobe State; Rainbow Roundabout and Pantani Stadium,
Rivers and Freedom Park, Osogbo, Osun State.
Adegboruwa, who was to have met the IGP in Abuja yesterday,
based on an invitation from the police boss, requested that the meeting be
enlarged and held virtually to give room for more stakeholders to attend.
He specifically requested that the meeting be led by human
rights activist, Femi Falana, SAN, and attended by representatives of the
Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, other lawyers, and civil society organizations,
CSOs.
Rising from the virtual meeting yesterday, Force
Headquarters said in a statement on the outcome: “During the meeting, the IGP
emphasized the importance of maintaining public order and safety during the
planned protests.
“He acknowledged the group’s right to express their concerns
through peaceful protests and reiterated the Police Force’s duty to facilitate
such rights within the bounds of the law.
“The IGP has advised the Take-It-Back Movement, who have
indicated their interest in protest, to engage with the respective state police
commissioners to coordinate and plan the protests in a manner that ensures the
safety of participants and the general public. ’He said this is also to
pre-empt any security challenges and ensure that the protests proceed
peacefully.
“Additionally, the IGP strongly advised against unplanned
open and unnecessary processions due to the potential dangers they pose.
“He stressed that organizing and coordinating with the
Police and other security agencies are essential steps to mitigate risks,
protect the rights of all citizens, and protect the well-being of all involved.
“The Inspector-General of Police, while reiterating that the
Force remains dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens and ensuring
that all public gatherings are conducted safely and securely, calls on
stakeholders to work together to foster a peaceful and secure environment
during the planned protests.”
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