Plans by civil rights groups to hold a nationwide protest rally on Monday April 7, may not materialise as the Nigeria Police have hinted that it may prevent such from happening.
One of the civil rights groups planning the protest rally Take it Back Movement said the state of emergency declared in Rivers State and the misuse of the Cybercrime Act are some of the issues they would be campaign against.
But in a statement issued on Sunday and sign by Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the planned protest rally is aim at causing mischief and have urged the groups to cancel the march.
“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,” said the statement.
“It is scheduled on the same day the contributions of the Nigeria Police Force to national security are 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.
“The Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, 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.”
