CP Olarenwaju Ishola, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, has issued a warning to demonstrators against participating in unlawful activities ahead of the anticipated nationwide protest against economic hardship on 1st October.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting hosted by the Lagos Police Command on Friday in Ikeja, Lagos, Ishola emphasised that although the police will respect the right to protest, they will not stand for lawlessness.
“We are not stopping anyone from protesting; it is your legitimate right. We will protect everyone to ensure that miscreants do not hijack the protest,” Ishola said.
He gave the public comfort by saying that the Command is ready to defend law-abiding citizens and deal with lawbreakers in accordance with the court system.
“Protesters must respect others’ rights and maintain public order. We will not tolerate any acts of violence or lawlessness. Independence Day is a time for celebration, and we will work to ensure a peaceful turnout. Protesters should not disturb those who wish to celebrate,” Ishola added.
The protest would be restricted to a particular area, the police commissioner added.
“The police will enforce the court order restricting the nationwide protests to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota. Protesters must remain within the designated area, as no other locations in Lagos are approved,” he noted.
Prominent individuals who attended the meeting included Prof. Ishaq Akintola (Executive Director, Muslim Rights Concern), Comrade Funmi Sesi (Chairperson, Nigeria Labour Congress, Lagos), Comrade Alimi Lekan Idris (Chairman, NANS Lagos), Comrade Abiodun Aladetan (Secretary, Trade Union Congress, Lagos), Alhaji Shittu Shola Ganiyu (Vice Chairman, NURTW Lagos), Eze Uche Dimgba, Mrs Abimbola Jinadu (representing the Iyaloja General), and Alhaji Musa Mohammed Dogon Kadai (Seriki Hausawa of Agege), among others.
The protest organisers have officially written to the police to request sufficient security for their participants in the meantime. This was revealed in a statement jointly signed by the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC), Youth Rights Campaign (YRC), Joint Action Front (JAF), and Pan-African Consciousness Renaissance (PACOR-Nigeria).
“By this announcement, we inform the Commissioner of Police of our planned October action and remind the Police of their obligation under Section 83 (4) of the Police Establishment Act 2020 to provide adequate security for citizens participating in public meetings, rallies, and protests,” they said.
The organisers also issued a warning to the government, demanding immediate action from President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Failure to meet their demands, they said, would result in more protests under the banner of the “National Day of Survival.”
Explaining their decision to hold the protest, the organisers pointed out that none of their demands from the 1st to 10th August nationwide protest had been addressed.
“None of the demands from our ten days of rage in August have been met. Instead, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has used the national treasury to procure luxury cars, aircraft, and other extravagances for himself and the first family, showing no regard for the plight of hungry Nigerians,” the organisers said.
They continued: “In a further show of disregard for the people, the government has imposed yet another hike in fuel prices this month. Fuel now costs between N900 and N1,900 per litre, depending on the region. Less than two years ago, a litre of fuel cost no more than N200. This is outrageous and intolerable. As a result, life has become unbearable for many Nigerians.”
They also emphasised how rising food prices have affected living expenses generally and how inflation has made the new N70,000 National Minimum Wage inadequate for Nigerian workers.
“Many are starving as the increase in fuel prices has driven up food costs. Inflation has made the new minimum wage irrelevant, while the sharp rise in the cost of imported goods has left traders with unsold stock,” they concluded.