“We Won’t Allow Violence Under the Guise of Replicating Kenya Protests” – IGP Warns

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, issued a stern warning on Tuesday against any attempts to replicate the recent Kenyan protests through violent means in Nigeria.

The announcement comes in the wake of the Kenyan protests last month, where citizens, angered by certain policies they viewed as anti-masses, took to the streets and parliament. The protests led to significant reforms, including a cabinet reshuffle.

In Nigeria, various groups have started mobilizing under the theme #EndBadGovernance, sparking concerns within the police force. Speaking at the Force Headquarters in Abuja during a strategic meeting with top police officers, including Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspector-Generals, and Deputy Inspector-Generals, Egbetokun emphasized that any planned protests must remain peaceful. He assured that the police would not tolerate any form of violence.

Reflecting on the impact of the #EndSARS protests, Egbetokun highlighted the trauma and destruction experienced by the police and the nation. “Our position is that the proposed violent protests are ill-advised and should be jettisoned fortuitously. We have the responsibility to protect properties and everyone, irrespective of their race, colour, ethnicity, or tribe, who are lawfully embarking on their daily activities. We will, therefore, not sit back and fold our arms to watch violent activities unleash violence on our peaceful communities or destroy any of our national critical infrastructure and assets again.”

Egbetokun revealed that background checks on protest organizers and sponsors indicated that many reside outside Nigeria, aiming to instigate crises within the country. He addressed the nation, stating, “Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategizing and mobilizing potential protesters to unleash terror in the land under the guise of replicating the recent Kenya protests. While the force acknowledges the right to peaceful protest as enshrined in our constitution, we must ensure that these protests do not snowball into violence or disorder.”

Recalling the consequences of the #EndSARS protests, he noted the significant damage to public assets and loss of lives, emphasizing that the nation has yet to recover from the economic and emotional toll. “The last #EndSARS protest led to one-tenth destruction of public assets, including police stations, courts, and transport infrastructure, and the loss of several lives. Tales of sorrow, tears, and blood followed what was supposedly intended to be a well-intentioned exercise. Rather than lead to any positive outcome, EndSARS merely aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts of the country.”

During the session, Egbetokun assured that measures are in place to prevent any violence disguised as protests. “We have mapped out plans to ensure that no individual or group succeeds in fostering a reign of terror and anarchy on other law-abiding and deserving Nigerians. Consequently, I want to seize this opportunity to sound the note of serious warning to hoodlums who may want to take laws into their own hands in the name of protests.”