The inspector-general of police (IGP), Olukayode Egbetokun has pronounced that the police will manage the planned nationwide protest in the “most professional manner”.
The IGP spoke in Abuja on Tuesday during a meeting with strategic police managers, which comprised officers from the rank of commissioners and above.
There have been multiple reports that some Nigerians, under different groups, are organizing a nationwide demonstration between August 1 and 10 against the rising cost of living and the pervasive economic hardship in the country.
However, Egbetokun said the police are committed to ensuring the protection of citizens during the protest.
The police chief said maintaining law and order during the demonstration would not be elusive if the protesters remained peaceful.
He also said that “the right to protest is inherently a right to peaceful protest”.
“So we are prepared, and I want to assure you that we will manage the protest in the most professional manner,” NAN quoted Egbetokun as saying.
“If the protest is peaceful, you will see us protecting the protesters as long as they remain peaceful.
“But we have a duty to protect lives and property, so we will not sit back and watch hoodlums burning down facilities in the name of protest.
“So we are not against peaceful protest; we will support peaceful protest by protecting those who will engage in peaceful protest.
“No civilised society will tolerate violent protest. Violent protest is criminal, but peaceful protest is a right.”
The IGP implored Nigerian youths to shun those instigating violent protests, saying that some individuals have been calling for an replica of the demonstration in Kenya.