FG monitors #FearlessOctober1 protest amid heightened security

The federal government has announced that it is closely monitoring the organisers of the planned #FearlessOctober1 protest, set to take place nationwide on Tuesday.

While reaffirming the citizens’ right to peaceful protests, the government acknowledged that the organisers have presented certain conditions that must be met for the protest to be called off.

Amid growing concerns, law enforcement agencies have increased security measures and initiated dialogues with interest groups to ensure peace and prevent any potential disruption of law and order.

As the scheduled protest draws near, the authorities remain on high alert to address any developments.

…FG monitors

On government’s approach to the planned protest, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga said: “Government is not against any peaceful protest by Nigerians. After all, it is their fundamental right to stage any protest. But the government is always apprehensive about such protests degenerating into a riot as we experienced in August or the 2020 EndSARS protest in many parts of the country.”

Onanuga further said: “Security agencies have been discussing with some of the organisers and they are being monitored so that they do not plunge the country into chaos or allow themselves to be used by internal and external forces which want to subvert the country and the 16-month-old administration.”

He said the Tinubu administration was not unaware of the difficult times Nigerians are passing through, but explained that the reforms embarked upon by the administration were beginning to yield dividends based on data from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).

“The government wishes to assure Nigerians that there is already light at the end of tunnel and seeks the patience and understanding of our compatriots,” said the presidential spokesman.

…Our conditions- Organisers

Expressing their determination to carry on with their plan, the organisers said the heavy presence of security agencies won’t deter them from carrying on with the planned protest.

The organisers, it was gathered, also wrote the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to ask for necessary security during the protest which they described as their fundamental right.

Nigeria is celebrating a low-keyed 64th Independence Anniversary Tuesday, even as the organisers said mobilisation efforts for the protest had commenced across the nation.

National Coordinator Take It Back Movement Juwon Sanyaolu, and its director of mobilisation, Damilare Adenola, said this at the weekend in Abuja.

Sanyaolu said: “We have also written to the Inspector General of Police, informing him of our protest locations and reminding him of the constitutional duty of the police to protect protesters as opposed to the repression we have witnessed in times past.”

It insisted the FCT protest would hold at the Eagle Square where the Independence Day parade is scheduled for hold, while that of Lagos comes up at the Ikeja under bridge.

They, however, listed the immediate reversal of fuel subsidy removal, a reduction in the size of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s cabinet to cut governance cost, and the immediate reform of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) among others, saying the conditions must be met for them to halt the protest.

It will be recalled that Egbetokun, had ordered the Force zonal and state commands to deploy men from Monday to strategic locations until a stand-down order was given.

Similarly, the IGP directed that policemen should dress in camouflage with hats, while the Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police should engage the available civil society groups and individuals with a view to dissuading them from the protest.

… ‘We‘re not deterred’

On the organisers’ readiness to follow through, Adenola said: “We are unperturbed by the threats issued by security agencies. What we have seen so far is that they (security agencies) don’t respect the rights of protesters; they may end up instigating violence against protesters.

“But we will keep warning them to ensure that they respect people’s right to express their grievances as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are also using this opportunity to call on the Nigerian people to come out unafraid and express their grievances. When we have enough protesters on the ground, the police and other security agencies will dare not harass them.

“People are experiencing hardship, and the government is telling them not to protest. It is just natural; people have to speak up against this hardship inflicted by President Bola Tinubu’s government,”

Police warn, dialogue

However, the Kogi state Police Command has warned the ‘Take It Back Movement’ to shelve the planned October 1 protest and give federal government more time to fix the nation’s economy.

The state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, said this at a meeting with the group in Lokoja.

While acknowledging that the group had a right to peaceful protest, he cautioned against the timing, saying it’s better “to avoid playing into the hands of disgruntled elements and hoodlums and to avoid or prevent them from hijacking the process and unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens, destruction of their properties as well as damage of critical infrastructure which will in turn have serious adverse/negative impact on the nation’s economy.”

Responding, leader of the group, Moses Opeyemi, assured the police that as enlightened and law-abiding youths, they accepted his advice as a father and promised to remain committed to the peace, progress and development of the state.

He further stated that the executive and members of the group would meet to deliberate on all the issues raised by the CP and come up with a reasonable resolution regarding their participation in the so-called protest.

He commended the CP for the constructive engagement which Opeyemi, had further enlightened them on their responsibilities as youths who are leaders of tomorrow and vanguard for development.

Present at the meeting were DCP (Operations) Chike Louis Nwabuwa, ACP Aigbe Aghahowa, SP William Ovye Aya, PPRO SP Emmanuel Abogonye, 2ic SID/OC Monitoring Unit, DSP Christopher Okoebor, PA to the CP.

On the other side were Oloruntoba Segun, Muhammed Abdul, Ande Joel, Michael John, Musa Matthew, Usman Alfa, Mohammed Usman Ahmed, Ibrahim Shaibu, and Adama Shaibu

…Student body cautions

In a related development, the new leadership of the National Association of University Students (NAUS) has cautioned against October 1 protest.

Rather, they urged the federal government federal government to make available 3,000 CNG buses to all institutions to cushion the effects of fuel subsidy removal, on the university students.

NAUS National President Josiah Peter said this at a press conference Sunday in Abuja.

“We recognise the profound difficulties caused by the recent hike in fuel prices and understand the strain it places on our students and society.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to distribute 3,000 CNG buses to all institutions to help mitigate the impact of subsidy removal on university students.

“NAUS calls on the NNPC to ensure all filling stations sell PMS at a uniform price and to encourage companies like Dangote to build more refineries to alleviate the effects of high fuel prices on Nigerians while appealing for a reduction in petroleum product prices.

“We urge all university students to shun all forms of protest, as we will engage in dialogue with relevant authorities to protect NAUS’s interests, except as a last resort if our demands are not met,” he said.

…Security beefed up in Lagos

Also, the Lagos state Police Command has reinforced security to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Olanrewaju Ishola, said this at a parley with traditional and religious leaders as well as the organisers of the planned protest at the command headquarters in Ikeja, this weekend.

He said: “I have ordered the immediate and optimal deployment of human and operational resources across strategic locations in the state. In the same vein, I have charged the deployed officers to be professional, civil but firm,”

The organisers assured of a peaceful demonstration while the exercise lasts.

…Police assure Katsina protesters

At a similar dialogue in Katsina state, the Police Command said measures had already been put in place to ensure a hitch-free protest.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, said this in a statement at the weekend.

“We have taken proactive measures to ensure public safety and security. Adequate personnel have been deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order, with enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance, and patrols across the state.

“While we recognise the rights of citizens to protest, we urge protesters to exercise these rights responsibly and within the framework of the law,” the command said.