Police warn against Nationwide Protest on Monday

Austin Okoro DDM NEWS

IGP

A group known as Take it Back Movement has planned a nationwide protest on Monday 7th April 2025.

The Nigeria Police Force has warned against participating in that protest claiming it’s a day set aside for the celebration of the Police force.

The Police noted that the force is not against the protest or the protesters since it is their right as enshrined in the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria but that it will be a national embarrassment to the visitors coming to the Police event.

They advised the planners to stop the protest and probably shift it to a later date for the sake of national peace.

ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi,
Force Public Relations Officer stated this in a Press release of 6th April,2025.

According to him: “The Nigeria Police Force has read in the news that a group called “Take it Back Movement” is planning a protest across various states of the Federation, most especially the Federal Capital Territory, scheduled to hold on Monday 7th April, 2025, a day earmarked by the Federal Government as the National Police Day, to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.

“While not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Force is deeply concerned about the motive behind such protest scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security is to be celebrated, putting into consideration that such glamorous event would bring together dignitaries from all spheres of life both internationally and within the country, including Foreign Inspectors-General of Police and Diplomats.

“In line with best global practices adopted by nations in celebrating the achievements of its Police institution, the Nigerian Government has taken the bull by the horn by declaring every April 7 as National Police Day.

“The rationale behind staging a nationwide protest on the same day is however questionable and perceived to be a deliberate attempt and unpatriotic act that is capable of rubbishing and maligning the image of the Nigeria Police and the nation as a whole.

“The Nigeria Police Force hereby advises the organizers to shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.

The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the Law and respect for rights of citizens hereby urges all the organizers of the planned protest as well as individuals who intend to join the protest to pursue dialogue by engaging the proper institution of government to press home their demands”, Olumuyiwa noted.

Recall that since the inception of this administration, protest has been resisted severally leading to lost of lives or possibly imprisonment.

Many Opinion moulders and Activists have opined that protest is a democratic means to drive home the demands of the people.

They urged the government in power to allow protesters to express their constitutional rights DDM News gathered.

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