According to information obtained by The newsmen, state commanders of the Nigeria Police Force have stationed men in flashpoints because the protest organizers of October 1st are adamant about holding the event on Independence Day as scheduled.
If the demonstration is successful, it will be the second time in two months that irate Nigerians have taken to the streets to express their displeasure with the suffering the nation is experiencing as a result of the government of President Bola Tinubu’s floating of the naira and increases in gasoline and energy prices.
The #FearlessOctober1 action, according to its organizers, is an extension of the August 1–10 #Endbadgovernance protest. They went on to say that the new protest was brought about by the Federal Government’s inability to meet their demands, which include, among other things, election changes, the development of human capital, insecurity, hunger and its rising cost, and government waste.
The group clarified that while the Lagos demonstration would be conducted at the Ikeja Under Bridge, the FCT protest would be staged at Eagle Square, the same location as the Independence Day procession.
Human rights activist and protest organizer Omoyele Sowore declared on Sunday that they were “fully prepared” for the demonstration and that they will go to the streets at 7 a.m. on the planned day.
“Everything is ready for us. Our organizers will not be hiding—they are on the ground. These are revolutionary times, and on October 1st, Nigerians would take to the streets in large numbers beginning at 7 a.m., he declared.
The protest organizers in Lagos want to start their march at 7:30 a.m. at the Ikeja Under Bridge.
North
The Niger State Police Command has sent out officers and security resources to prevent any disruption of law and order during the state’s Independence Day celebrations.
Six people were thought dead in Suleja, a major Niger town, when demonstrators allegedly tried to storm a police station amid the #Endbadgovernance demonstration.
The state capital of Minna had armed security personnel stationed at many key locations on Sunday, including busy marketplaces and intersections. In an effort to keep the state peaceful, police patrol cars had also begun to monitor the metropolis.
“The Niger State Police Command shall deploy an adequate number of personnel and operational assets for public safety and orderliness,” stated Wasiu Abiodun, a spokesman for the command. Shawulu Danmamman, the state’s commissioner of police, gave Area Commanders, Tactical Commanders, and DPOs instructions to make sure that police visibility was increased in their respective regions in order to prevent any acts that would violate public order.
“The Command had also involved trade union leaders, leaders of youth and students in the state, labor leaders, and other important stakeholders in order to ensure and maintain the relative peace that is being enjoyed for the state’s economic growth and development.”
Additionally, the Kano State Police Command has placed its officers in advantageous locations.
Abdullahi Haruna, PPRO of the command, said “We always learn from the past, which is why we want to ensure peace and order.”
The Nigerian Patriotic Front Movement’s leadership, Haruna continued, had also been contacted by the command, and they had expressed their desire to have a nonviolent demonstration on Tuesday.
“Given its nature, we reminded them of the risks connected to such a protest, particularly in Kano,” he continued.
He reassured the locals that there would be sufficient protection and that the command was ready for anything.
To avert possible bloodshed at the state’s scheduled protest, the Kaduna state police command has taken preventive steps.
In order to prevent a repeat of the August demonstration, which descended into violence in the state, a senior police officer revealed that personnel had been sent around the state. He spoke on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment on the subject.
“We are taking proactive steps to ensure public safety, but public processions are still prohibited.” I am unable to disclose the precise number of personnel deployed due to security concerns,” the officer stated.
The protest planners were counseled to rethink their strategy and give the administration more time to address the country’s economic problems by Kogi State Commissioner of Police Bethrand Onuoha.
At the command’s headquarters in Lokoja on Saturday, Onuoha made this statement while interacting with members of the Take It Back Movement’s Kogi State branch.
“The CP advised the group to reconsider their planned protest and give government more time to fix the economy of our dear nation,” according to a statement released on Sunday by PPRO, Kogi Command, William Aya.
Onuoha stated that the Take It Back Movement’s letter, which he received on Friday, prompted him to schedule the meeting.
According to the laws in place, the group is free to protest peacefully, but we want to avoid giving in to the influence of thugs or angry groups and stop them from taking advantage of the situation to harm innocent people, destroy their property, and damage vital infrastructure, all of which could have a detrimental effect on the country’s economy.
festivities.
The command is ready for the October 1 celebration and any issues that may come up before, during, or after the celebration, he declared. We have mobilized all of our resources—people and material—to guarantee that the state remains calm moving forward.
According to the Borno State command, troops has been sent to key locations throughout the state to uphold law and order.
“We have adequately deployed our men within the state to safeguard lives and property and we are ready to prevent any breakdown of law and order ahead of the Independence Day celebration,” stated ASP Nahum Daso, the PPRO for the command.
In order to ensure everyone’s safety before, during, and after the demonstration, the Katsina State Command has mobilized “both human and intelligence resources,” according to PPRO Abubakar Sadiq.
“We have implemented proactive steps to guarantee public safety and security, and sufficient staff has been assigned to guarantee no collapse of law and order, as well as sufficient intelligence collection, monitoring, and improved state-wide patrols.”
In order to obtain firsthand knowledge of the protest’s purpose and to make sure that miscreants don’t hijack it, the state leadership in Kwara invited the protest organizers.
“The police commissioner invited the protest organizers to the police headquarters for a meeting on the proposed protest,” stated Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, the command spokesperson. In order to provide them with sufficient security and shield them from thugs who might join the protest with the intention of destroying government property and turning it into a deadly melee, the goal is to get them talking about the protestors’ intended route.
But state police commanders in Sokoto, Bauchi, Plateau, and Gombe informed our journalists that they had not received any notification from the protest organizers about the scheduled rally for Tuesday.
The commands’ PPROs further stated that in response to rumors of the upcoming demonstration, they have increased security.
South
In the event that the protest continues, commands in the southern states have also stepped up their preparations to avert chaos.
Abiodun Alamutu, the Commissioner of Police for Ogun State, announced on Sunday that the command will mass deploy its officers to hotspots and susceptible places throughout the state on Monday (today) to provide guidance against any disruptions by the October 1 protestors.
Alamutu added that on Sunday, the command met with representatives of the student body, the transport union, and youth organizations, among others, to discuss and discourage them from taking part in any unapproved protests.
“We shall embark on the deployment of police operatives to flashpoints and vulnerable areas throughout the state by tomorrow (today),” Alamutu declared. This is to make a clear statement to all lawbreakers and troublemakers that we will not tolerate any disguise used to undermine the tranquility that now exists in the state.
The leadership in Bayelsa declared that it would protect the demonstrators and prevent a collapse of law and order both during and after the protest.
Francis Idu, the state commissioner of police, has ordered all tactical units to remain on high alert, according to state PPRO Musa Mohammed.
“To prevent any breakdown of law and order, the CP has directed all tactical units to be on alert to provide security for the protesters both during and after the protest.”
While Delta command personnel have been put on “red alert,” the Rivers command stated that it will not stand for a breakdown of law and order in the state during the scheduled demonstration.
The security measures put in place for the state’s recently concluded governorship election have not yet been loosened, according to Nemi Iwo, the command of the Edo State Police.
He said that in order to guarantee a tranquil Independence Day, it would continue.
“The security protocols implemented prior to and throughout the recently concluded election remain in effect. It shall continue in order to guarantee Edo State’s tranquility.
Irene Ugbo, the PPRO for the Cross River State command, described the immense devastation that the Endsars demonstration in October 2020 caused in the state and stated that the command was ready to put an end to any protests in the state that were motivated by grievances.
We’re prepared to rebuff any demonstration. To protest, one must get permission in writing from the Commissioner of Police. Naturally, we will assist them, but we are prepared to oppose those who just appear out of nowhere to cause havoc,” she revealed.
PPRO Joshua Ukandu of the Ebonyi command stated that although they were unaware of any planned protest, they were ready to send out soldiers to maintain calm in the state.
Organizers
The Take It Back Movement’s National Director, Juwon Sanyaolu, stated that planning for the demonstration were in “high gear” and that, despite the administration led by Tinubu’s repressive actions, they had no intention of going underground because they had done nothing illegal.
“We’re going to demonstrate on Tuesday, October 1st as planned, not only to exercise our constitutional right to protest, but also to reaffirm our opposition to Tinubu’s government’s neo-liberal direction. Preparations are well underway nationally. We don’t intend to disappear, and we haven’t done anything wrong. We are fully within the bounds of the law and within our rights.
Therefore, we are publicly organizing in spite of the government led by Tinubu’s oppressive actions. However, since we haven’t done anything wrong, we are not concerned by it.
If anyone is at fault, it is the Tinubu government, which has decided to ignore the aspirations and demands of the Nigerian people, and the Police establishment, which keeps violating those rights through its use of coercive tactics. However, we are unfazed and the protest will proceed as planned.
In a similar vein, Damilare Adenola, Director of Mobilization for the Take It Back Movement, declared, “I’m going nowhere.” It’s not illegal to protest. I have done nothing wrong, so I won’t flee.
The purpose of the demonstration, according to Rivers State’s Take It Back Movement Publicity Secretary Andy Akpotive, was to hold the nation’s leaders accountable.
“We are demanding that October 1, 2024 gives us the chance, the window, and the latitude to come out again and say we will not be intimidated, we will not be slaves,” Akpotive declared. We won’t stay under in this country where we have equal rights, including those of leadership.
Conflict between APC and PDP
By urging Nigerian youth to take part in the upcoming nationwide demonstration, the ruling All Progressives Congress has issued a warning to the opposition not to plunge the nation into chaos.
However, the nation’s main opposition parties distanced themselves, claiming that the people who have been negatively impacted by President Tinubu’s economic reforms already know enough to take to the streets in protest.
“Nobody has benefited from what has happened in the past (protest),” he declared. The nation was effectively closed down, resulting in the loss of lives and property. The same opposition that supported and encouraged them withdrew. They took no action. The people will now continue to go astray and find themselves in a situation they are unable to comprehend if they allow themselves to be duped by the opposition, who are not interested in the advancement of the nation but rather in serving their personal interests.
Therefore, I suggest that while protest is a legitimate weapon in a democracy, abusing it will not be beneficial for a nation’s progress. I would advise them to be patient and to keep believing in the President. He has expressed his sincere intentions for the nation and its youth in particular numerous times.
“They should not permit the opposition to continue misleading them after being rejected by the general public and the impoverished. They have nothing to give other than this blatant campaign of defamation and cruel deception against a government that aims to better and restructure the lives of its constituents.
Abdullahi Ibrahim, the national deputy publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, disagreed, claiming that the APC-led administration has been humiliating and tormenting the Nigerian people since they assumed power.
“From the moment this administration assumed office in 2023, they have been an embarrassment. The government has failed to consider the consequences of its unfavorable policies, leaving the populace in a state of filth and suffering. It is a regime that is intolerant of opposition and criticism. It’s a regime notorious for its haughtiness and conceit.
“Everyone has realized that allowing these individuals to form their government was their biggest error as citizens. You can tell how resolute the populace is. Opposition is not necessary to force it to make a choice. The nation is demonstrating against the harsh reality in which it now finds itself. We go to the same market, so no one needs to explain them what it is.
Therefore, it is not the PDP or any opposition that is causing this demonstration, but rather the unspoken reality, the suffering, and the immense discontent in the country. Nigerians have disagreed with everything they have introduced, and they have not altered. The Tinubu administration has continued acting as though it has subjugated the populace or the country. By the way, this protest is being sponsored by no opposition,” he bemoaned.
Obiora Ifoh, the Labour Party’s national publicity secretary, agreed with Ibrahim.
“People protesting in Nigeria cannot be held responsible for,” he declared. The general populace is experiencing hunger, and it is said that an angry man is one who is hungry. I would think that the public is becoming more agitated because of the government’s acts and inactions. The populace has the right to become agitated.
“Why blame the opposition when they are purchasing fuel at N1,300 Naira instead of N1,300 Naira as they were doing before this government entered office, paying power at a rate more than 300 percent of what they were receiving, and purchasing a bag of rice that used to sell for N35,000 for N100,000? Like those in authority, the opposition is also hungry.
“This government’s followers are also ravenous. Ultimately, we don’t purchase items from a distinct market. We can only advise them to do the right thing, I believe. They ought to perform better than they already do.
Lagos limits the number of demonstrators
The Lagos State Government has insisted that the court order limiting protests to two specific locations in Lagos is still in effect.
As organizers prepare for the impending October 1, 2024 protest in Lagos and other states, the state reaffirmed this.
In response to questions from journalists on Sunday, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lawal Pedro (SAN), advised organizers to refrain from interfering with social and economic activities in the state. He also emphasized that the governor’s directives to the Commissioner of Police to ensure public safety remain in place.
Protests are currently limited to two locations, Freedom Park and Peace Park, which are situated in the states of Ojota and Ketu, per a Lagos High Court judgment. The decision was made in August, before the “EndBadGovernance” demonstration.
Pedro pointed out that although Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is in favor of locals voicing their opinions through protests, these expressions must adhere to the law.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has not opposed any group of residents expressing their opinions about any government through public protest, as it is their fundamental right guaranteed by the 1999 Nigerian Constitution, he said. “We have and shall continue to engage the civil societies and non-governmental organizations in Lagos who are genuinely interested in the development of Lagos State,” he said.
Pedro made it clear that there are limitations to the fundamental freedoms of assembly, speech, and association.
“It is lawful for the Governor of Lagos State or the Attorney General of Lagos on his behalf to give the Commissioner of Police of Lagos State directives for maintenance and securing of public safety and public order that may impact on the exercise of these fundamental rights,” he stated, citing sections 45, 215 (4), and 4 & 10(2) of the Police Act.
“In that regard, we recommend that the organizers make use of the state’s designated public protest venues, specifically Freedom Park and Peace Park, to ensure sufficient security and media coverage of the demonstration,” he continued.
“They should be guided by the interim preservative order of injunction of the court restricting public protest in the state to designated venues,” he said, pointing out that the same group of persons who organized the previous protest are now organizing the one on October 1.
He further said that they are the subject of a significant court case that seeks an order of interlocutory and perpetual injunction to permanently limit the ability of any person or group to organize public protests in Lagos State to specific locations.
He declared, “It is a settled principle of law that a defendant has an obligation to respect the judicial process and not participate in the same act sought to be restrained if he is aware that a claim or application for an injunction against him is pending in a court of law.”
Pedro came to the conclusion that “it will be unlawful for anybody, civil society, or NGO in Lagos to convene any public protest outside the designated venue, regardless of whether the interim preservative order is subsisting or not, by the subsisting suit.”
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