By Ayo Kehinde
Facing a possible showdown with a group called, “Take it Back Movement,” over a planned nationwide protest, especially in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja on Monday, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun has directed Police Commands across the country to foil any attempt by the protesters.
Monday, April 7, 2025, is Police National Day celebration for which the NPF has invited Inspectors- General of Police from abroad, diplomats and others dignitaries.
The National Police Day was recently approved by the Federal Government to celebrate the “resilience and dedication of officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force.” And for several weeks, Police Commands across the country have been sensitized to the celebration, held parades of different segments of the Force including a detachment of women, which the police plan to showcase for its gender sensitiveness among other display for.
The Police say it is deeply suspicious of the intention of the protesters and has warned the organisers to shelve the plan for patriotic reasons.
According to Force Public Relations Officer,Force Headquarters ACP Olumiyiwa Adejobi on Sunday, the Police is not against the exercise of citizens right to peaceful assembly and association in Nigeria as enshrined in the Constitution, the Nigeria, but the “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.”
He said that 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,” adding that “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 organisers of the protest are, however, adamant.
Arrowhead of the organisers, activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has denied police declaration that the planned nationwide protest by the ‘Take It Back’ movement ton Monday is aimed at undermining the National Police Day celebration.
Mr Sowore said on Sunday that the police want to attempt to divert attention from the controversies surrounding the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
“It is the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of ILLEGAL Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that should reconsider their program,” he wrote.
“No amount of such initiatives can save Egbetokun from the controversy surrounding his illegal, unjust, and scandalous appointment by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
According to him, IGP Egbetokun ought to have retired from the police force upon completing 35 years in service, just as others before him have done
“Nigeria needs a new police force, not one headed by a spent force IGP utilising diversionary tactics to shift public attention from his shortcomings and scandals,” he said. “Regardless, tomorrow’s protest must go on across Nigeria. Nothing can stop the movement of the people!”
THISAGE recalls that “Take it Back Movement,”Mr Sowore and his group played crucial roles in the August 2024 #EndBadGovernnace protest as well as the subsequent 1 October 2024 protest organised to campaign against corruption, bad governance, insecurity and poor management of the country’s economy.
IGP Egbetokun is insistent that the “organizers shelve this planned protest as it is ill-timed and mischievous.”
ACP Adejumobi said that while reaffirming the commitment of the NPF to adequately carrying out its mandate in accordance with the law and respect for rights of citizens, the police urged 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.
