By Bukola Olamona,& Victor Akinkuolie

Ondo State Commissioner of Police, Abayomi Peter Oladipo has directed the organisers of the August 1 – 10 2024 in Ondo State to provide information about the location of the protest to the state police command before the day of the protest.

The directive is contained in a statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of Ondo State Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanya.

Odunlami-Omisanya said the directive is in line with the instruction from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, who emphasized the need for security arrangements to ensure a peaceful demonstration.

The PPRO highlighted that the police command recognizes the fundamental rights of citizens to protest as a means to express their frustrations.

She, however, said that no responsible government will permit violent protests that infringe on the rights and freedoms of other citizens who may not want to participate.

 “CP Abayomi urged both the organisers and protesters to partner with the Police during this time to be able to ward off criminal elements who may want to hijack the protest or use it as a means to carry out their dastardly act as the command will provide adequate security for the protesters and the state at large.

She assured law-abiding residents and citizens transiting through Ondo State of robust police protection, peaceful and violence free protest during the time.

In the same vein Ekiti State Police has equally warned that the command will not tolerate killing or injuring of innocent citizens, destruction of public or private infrastructure, infringing of innocent citizens right to movement, looting of private businesses, amongst others.

The command in a release issued by its Public Relations Officer, SP Sunday Abutu on Sunday, said the command understands and acknowledges the constitutional rights of Nigerian citizens to peaceful assembly and protest.

“Protest characterized by violence that could negatively affect the lives and property of innocent citizens is unacceptable as the safety and peace of our dear State cannot be traded with any individual interest or satisfaction.

“The command mandates any group that wishes to protest, to provide the proposed protest routes and assembly points, Expected duration of the protest, Names and contact details of protest leaders and organizers, measures to prevent hijacking by criminal elements, including key identifiers for possible isolation of potential troublemakers among others

The Command encourages members of the public, especially all protesters to cooperate with the Police, be law abiding, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights while we shall continue to ensure the maintenance of public order and protection of lives and properties of all innocent citizens.