Ensure peaceful protests, IGP charges Zonal AIGs, CPs

At a video conference with senior police officers from throughout the nation on Wednesday, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun discussed crucial concerns related to readiness, deployment, and maintaining peace and order during the country’s scheduled countrywide protest.

The IGP stressed in his speech the value of keeping the force’s professionalism and awareness at a high level, emphasizing that our nation’s safety and security rested on the bravery, alertness, and preparedness of our police and other security personnel.

The IGP emphasized the necessity of police personnel being strategically deployed and always ready to respond to any crisis while well equipped and prepared to handle any eventuality.

Emphasizing the critical role of the police in maintaining law and order, the IGP reminded senior officers of their duty to uphold the rule of law, and police with the highest level of integrity.

The IGP further emphasized that while peaceful demonstrations are a democratic right, the police must be vigilant to prevent any group from hijacking such events to incite violence.

He directed that “proactive measures must be emplaced to ensure that peaceful protests do not turn into violent confrontations, as Nigeria cannot afford to record any violence in this period”.

Furthermore, with much emphasis, the IGP “issued a stern warning against the spread of fake news via various media platforms charging officers to put in necessary emplacements to manage this”, and “advising members of the public to shun the spread of unverified contents on social media”.

The IGP also warned against “unplanned protests and unnecessary street processions, which can disrupt public order and safety” reiterating that “confined protests are best in this situation to prevent destruction of public infrastructures and other properties.

The IGP called on “all senior officers to remain steadfast in their commitment to service, emphasizing that their leadership is crucial in navigating the challenges ahead.”