The Nigeria Police Force has ordered all its formations to deploy covert operatives across the country to prevent any protests during the 64th Independence Day celebrations on October 1.
According to a report by SaharaReporters, a police wireless message issued by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, through the Department of Operations to all AIG Zones 1 to 17, commands, and units, confirmed this directive.
The message, with reference number DTO: 261604/09/2024, 0900/DOPS/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.T9/395, instructed all formations to take necessary steps to prevent a planned nationwide strike by what it referred to as “unscrupulous elements” during the celebrations.
According to the IGP, the formations have been directed to continue engaging in dialogue with the leadership of identified groups to dissuade them from organizing protests, particularly during the Independence Day celebrations.
He emphasized that no disorder should be allowed, stressing that any attempt by “miscreants” or “hoodlums” to cause destruction to lives and property should be swiftly dealt with.
The message also directed Commissioners of Police to ensure officers are on high alert, maintaining well-equipped standby units at command headquarters, area commands, and divisional police headquarters to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
The directive read: “NIGERIA’S 64TH INDEPENDENCE ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS PLANNED NATIONWIDE STRIKE BY SOME UNSCRUPULOUS ELEMENTS, INGENPOL HAS ORDERED X YOU CONTINUE TO ENGAGE IN MEETINGS/DIALOGUE WITH LEADERSHIP OF IDENTIFIED GROUPS TO DISSUADE THEM FROM THE PLANNED PROTEST DEPLOY COVERT OPERATIVES TO ALL NOOKS AND CRANNIES YOURS X FOR INTELLIGENCE GATHERING/SHARING ALL NECESSARY MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN PARTICULARLY DURING THE INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATIONS X TO ENSURE THAT NOTHING UNTOWARD IS ALLOWED…”
Recall that a coalition of civic organizations has called on workers and other pro-democracy Nigerians to join protests against bad governance starting October 1, 2024.
In a joint statement, the civic groups urged Nigerians to participate actively in the upcoming protests, citing President Bola Tinubu’s failure to address the grievances that led to the #EndBadGovernance protests in August.
The statement, signed by Hassan Taiwo Soweto of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Oloye Adegboyega Adeniji of the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), and several other leaders of civic movements, criticized President Bola Tinubu’s government for its apparent disregard for the suffering of Nigerians.
(SAHARAREPORTERS)
