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Ahead of the nationwide protest against economic hardship, Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun has revealed intelligence reports indicating the recruitment of foreign mercenaries to hijack the protest and cause chaos.
Speaking in Abuja, Egbetokun urged Nigerians to exercise caution and reconsider joining any protest groups to avoid setbacks for the nation. He stated, “We have been monitoring developments surrounding protest threats. While some groups call for violent protests, others advocate for peaceful demonstrations, yet some individuals promote peaceful protests with violent undertones, raising concerns about their sincerity.”
Egbetokun emphasized Nigeria’s history of violent protests and the dangers of unchecked demonstrations. He acknowledged those who have withdrawn from the protest due to concerns over sinister motives and the potential manipulation by enemies of the country. “We confirm their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest,” he added.
To ensure the protest remains peaceful, Egbetokun called on participating groups to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states. He outlined the necessary information: proposed protest routes and assembly points, expected duration, names and contact details of leaders and organizers, and measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements.
He stressed the importance of cooperation between protestors and police, stating, “By providing this information, the police will be enabled to deploy adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety.” Egbetokun urged adherence to guidelines, emphasizing that failure to comply indicates ill intentions for the country.
Egbetokun recalled the aftermath of past protests, including the EndSARS protests, which led to the destruction of police stations, looting of armories, and increased crime. “Violent protest is going to leave us worse off,” he warned. He reiterated the police’s commitment to protecting peaceful protestors while issuing a stern warning against violent actions.
