IGP Directs Police to Protect the Masses During the Course of the Protest

Top police officials have been instructed by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun to safeguard attendees of the August 1–10, 2024, #EndBadGovernance demonstration.

On Monday, the IGP issued the directives in a letter responding to a plea from human rights attorney Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa.

On July 26, 2024, Adegboruwa wrote to the IGP on behalf of the Take It Back Movement, one of the organizations organizing the #EndBadGovernance demonstration, asking for police protection for demonstrators.

In a July 29, 2024, reply letter, Egbetokun gave top officers instructions to handle Adegboruwa's request.

CP Johnson Adenola, his principal staff officer, signed the IGP's response, stating, “I am to inform you that the IGP has directed the Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (Operations and Intelligence), the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) in charge of Zonal Police Headquarters, and the Commissioners of Police (CPs) in charge of State Commands across Nigeria, to attend to your request."

He continued, “Also, I am to inform you that the IGP wishes to hold a meeting with you at the Police Force Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, July 30th, 2024, to deliberate further on your request,” CP Adenola wrote in the letter.

Social media has helped the national demonstration against economic hardship gain popularity.