The Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed his officers to deal decisively with individuals committing arson and causing disturbances during the commencement of the #EndBadGovernance protest on August 1.
In an official statement, the police chief cautioned that the police will apprehend anyone found engaging in criminal activities throughout the nationwide demonstration.
He also mentioned that the protest organisers did not provide the police with protest details, including prospective participants’ names, rally routes, and other information.
Egbetokun said that intelligence suggested the demonstrations were planned to incite chaos.
Egbetokun said: “The name given to the movement — ‘Take It Back Movement’ has far-reaching undemocratic, unconstitutional and illegal connotations.
“All officers and men of the Nigeria Police are hereby directed to act and deal decisively with any act of arson, intimidation or harassment of any citizen, threat to lives and properties, breach of peace and any act of criminality that may arise or flow from the planned protest in any part of the country.
“Perpetrators of any crime will be arrested and promptly prosecuted.”