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The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday warned organisers behind the proposed nationwide protest to shelve their plans.
His comment followed a social media campaigns mobilising for a nationwide protest slated for August 1 due to the economic hardship in the country.
Speaking during a meeting with commissioners of police in Abuja, Egbetokun noted that the last #EndSARS protest aggravated crime rates and insecurity in several parts.
He said, “Some groups of people, self-appointed crusaders and influencers, have been strategising and mobilising potential protesters to unleash terror on 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. As a nation, we have had more than our fair share of violent protests, with rather dastardly consequences.
"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. Indeed, we are yet to fully recover from the huge economic losses and deep-seated psychological and emotional trauma inflicted upon our people by these protests.”
He urged the citizens to jettison the proposed protest, adding that the police have the responsibility to protect citizens and their properties.
Egbetokun added, “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.
“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 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 hands in the name of protests. Do not worry.”
