Lagos Police Summon #EndBadGovernance Organizers Ahead of October 1 Protest

The Lagos State Police Command has extended an invitation to Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, one of the key organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protests. The meeting is scheduled with the newly appointed Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to discuss “issues of national interest.”

The invitation, dated September 24, 2024, was signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jaiyeoba Joseph of the State Intelligence Department. It calls for Sanyaolu and his executive members to attend the meeting on September 25, 2024, at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.

This development comes as the nation braces for a fresh wave of protests under the banner “Fearless in October,” set for October 1, 2024. The #EndBadGovernance movement had previously organized widespread protests in August across Lagos, Abuja, and other states, demanding systemic reforms.

Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the invitation, describing the upcoming meeting as peaceful. “The new CP just wants to meet everyone,” Hundeyin stated, adding that the police had no intention of making arrests. He emphasized that the meeting would include discussions about the planned October 1 protest.

Sanyaolu, who was previously arrested in June during preparations for the Democracy Day protest, was released after two days in police custody. Despite growing tensions, the police have assured that the upcoming discussions are meant to foster dialogue rather than confrontation.