Akwa Ibom: Police urge protest organisers to submit details of activities

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, has urged the organisers of the planned nationwide protest to provide necessary information on routes and places of convergence to the command for adequate security.

This was contained in a statement issued by Police Public Relations Officer ASP Timfon John in Uyo on Monday.

ASP John said the Commissioner of Police’s call complied with Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun’s directive to all police commands for security arrangements before the commencement of the protest.

According to her, “In view of the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1 to 10, tagged “EndBadGovernance,” the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in compliance with the directive of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, is calling on all organisers of the protest to give details of their activities” for security arrangements before the commencement date.

She said the command expects them to submit to the office of the command’s Public Relations Officer details of the “proposed assembling point and routes; expected duration of the protest; names and contact details of protest leaders and organisers; and measures to prevent hijack by criminal elements.”

She urged both the organisers and intending protesters to cooperate with the police towards ensuring that the proposed protest is carried out peacefully without being hijacked by unscrupulous persons.

She urged those participating in the protest to ensure that they maintain the sanctity of public gatherings and lawful assemblies and avoid acts capable of leading to a breakdown of law and order in the state.