- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Police Force has faulted the planned nationwide protest against bad governance and free speech suppression, labelling it as ill-timed and mischievous.
The protest, organized by the ‘Take it Back Movement’, is slated to hold on Monday which will crash with the National Police Day celebration.
Reacting in a statement issued on Sunday, the Force spokesperson, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, maintained that the day is earmarked to celebrate the resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.
Adejobi maintained that the rationale behind nationwide protest on the same day as the National Police Day is questionable and deliberate attempt to dent the image of the Nigeria Police.
The Force spokesperson urged the organizers to suspend the planned protest.
The statement read in part; “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.”