Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has placed Nigerian police officers on high alert in preparation for the anticipated #FearlessInOctober protests. The protests, organized by a coalition of civil society groups, are scheduled to coincide with Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations. They aim to highlight grievances concerning economic hardship, political mismanagement, and insecurity under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
The police chief, in a recent directive, instructed officers to increase security around major cities, public venues, and government institutions to preempt any potential disruptions. “Our priority is to maintain law and order and ensure that Independence Day celebrations proceed without incident. While peaceful protests are permitted, any attempt to cause violence or civil disorder will be met with appropriate action,” Egbetokun said in a statement.
Civil society organizations, including the Movement for Fundamental Change (MFC) and Education Rights Campaign (ERC), have been mobilizing support for the #FearlessInOctober protests on social media, calling for Nigerians to stand up against what they describe as “increasing repression” by the government. The protests are reminiscent of previous large-scale demonstrations, such as the #EndSARS protests in 2020, where citizens decried police brutality and called for police reform.
Despite the police’s assurance of a non-violent response to peaceful protests, there is widespread concern over possible confrontations between protesters and security forces. Activist groups have cautioned against heavy-handed tactics, urging the police to respect citizens’ rights to free assembly. “We demand that the police respect our rights to peaceful protest and refrain from using excessive force,” said one of the protest organizers.
This concern stems from previous incidents where peaceful protests were met with violent repression. The #EndSARS protests, which began as a movement against police brutality, ended in tragedy with the Lekki toll gate shooting, where demonstrators were fired upon by security forces. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have since warned against a repeat of such incidents.
In response, Egbetokun has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that officers exercise restraint while upholding the law. “We understand the concerns of protesters and have instructed our officers to act professionally. However, we will not tolerate any attempts to undermine public safety,” the police chief emphasized.
As Independence Day approaches, all eyes will be on how both the protesters and law enforcement navigate this delicate situation. Activists have vowed to remain peaceful, while the police are tasked with ensuring that the protests do not escalate into violence.
