IGP Egbetokun’s Protest Management Has Always Been Professional, by Adewole Kehinde

“The most valuable possession you can own is an open heart. The most powerful weapon you can have is an instrument of peace. – Carlos Santana

Since he assumed office as the Inspector General of Police, there have been no reported cases of violent protest to date.

I recall that in August 2023, when the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) embarked on a protest aimed at calling on the federal government to reverse all “anti-poor” and “insensitive” policies, IGP Kayode Egbetokun told the NLC that the force would not tolerate violent protests.

What transpired on Wednesday, 2nd of August, 2023, during the NLC protest in Abuja and other major cities across the country proves that the Nigeria Police Force under IGP Kayode Egbetokun deserves a distinction in the school of strategic crisis management.

There has been an intense mobilisation online and on X (formerly Twitter) and other social media platforms for protests against economic hardship, insecurity, and broad-ranging issues relating to bad governance in the country.

The demands of the group include: reverting petrol pump prices to old prices; combating insecurity and hunger; closing all IDP camps and resettling the campers; total electoral reform and an independent probe into the electoral budget of N355 billion; immediate release of all #EndSARS protesters still in detention; implementation of a living wage (minimum of N300k); compulsory free education from primary to secondary school; education grant at tertiary level; children of all public office holders must attend public schools in the country; the government must patronise made in Nigeria goods; Transition to a unicameral legislature and judicial and constitutional reforms. 

In his usual way, IGP Kayode Egbetokun promised that the police would manage the planned nationwide protest most professionally.

Egbetokun remarked during a meeting with strategic police managers, which included officers from the rank of commissioners and above.

Those who experienced #EndSARS will never pray for another protest of that nature to retake the place. 

I spoke with some of the agitators on Twitter, and they claimed that former President Buhari, President  Bola Tinubu, Professor Wole Soyinka, and others protested under Jonathan. 

I agreed with them, but no single public infrastructure was destroyed. The Nigeria Police recognises the power of the citizens to protest, but what force is against is another destruction witnessed during #EndSARS.

Lagos lost over N1 trillion in property damage during EndSARS. Infrastructure such as over 30 police stations, 100 BRT buses, the old Lagos City Hall, 7 Lagos State Fire Service stations,  I57 other buses, and 16 Lagos courts were destroyed in Lagos State alone.

The most advanced forensic laboratory in Black Africa, Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre was destroyed by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest.

On Friday, the IGP acknowledged the constitutional rights of citizens to gather and protest peacefully but hinged the support from the police on some conditions.

According to the IGP, the protesters must, among other things, submit letters containing the full details of their plans and names of the organisers leading the protest in each state to the Commissioners of Police.

He said the conditions were to ensure the protest would be observed peacefully to ensure public safety and order.

I am impressed that the Nigeria Police Force has also reiterated its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all citizens during the period of the planned protests, as all necessary measures to facilitate the peaceful conduct of these demonstrations have been implemented.

I am also aware that the police have reiterated that any attempt by miscreants to exploit the situation for violent purposes, viz., vandalism, gangsterism, and extortion, will be met with a firm, professional, and commensurately lawful approach, as the police will not tolerate any act that threatens the peace and well-being of the country.

There is no doubt that the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to deploy all available resources to maintain law and order and to protect the lives and property of Nigerian citizens.

In as much as the protesters will want to provoke police personnel deployed to manage the protest, I will implore them to be vigilant, and professional, and uphold the highest standards of conduct during this period.

I must commend the police boss for urging the protesters to embrace peaceful dialogue as the most effective means of resolving grievances, while also reemphasizing that the police are committed to ensuring a secure and conducive environment for open dialogue, constructive engagement, and mutual understanding for a seamless exercise of civil rights.

Just like previous protests since his assumption of office, the police have once again categorically promised to protect protestors’ constitutional rights and freedoms as protesters announced their preparations for nationwide demonstrations.

The police will continue to show their dedication to maintaining peaceful protests, which are a fundamental component of democratic speech, by putting personnel on red alert around the country.

The police’s position is an excellent illustration of democratic policing, in which the preservation of citizens’ rights is given top priority. Nigerians will surely appreciate the Nigeria police after the protest for their persistent dedication to protecting protestors’ safety and security, as well as their strong will to oppose any attempts to disturb the calm.

In February 2024, for the first time, we saw the story and pictures of the Lagos State Police Command supplying water and biscuits to protesters in Lagos State.

I also discovered that many state commissioners of police demonstrated the commitment of law enforcement to protect the public interest and rule of law, thus advancing the cause of civil disobedience and responsible behaviour in their respective states.

Egbetokun has exhibited democratic leadership by placing a high priority on ensuring the safety of nonviolent protests.

There is no single public infrastructure destroyed from all the protests carried out in the past one year under the leadership of IGP Kayode Egbetokun, and this indeed is a signal that something positive is gathering momentum in the Nigeria Police Force, and we must now play our roles well, as good citizens in support of the only police force that we can call our own.

Adewole Kehinde is the publisher of Swift Reporters and can be reached at 08166240846. E-mail: kennyadewole@gmail.com