Ahead of the planned nationwide protests in October, the Lagos State Police Command has invited Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, to meet with the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.
The meeting, scheduled for today at 11:00 am at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja, aims to discuss “issues of national interest”.
The Take It Back Movement was one of the organizers of the #EndBadGovernance protest in August, which took place in Lagos, Abuja, and other states.
The protest was a response to the economic hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidies by the Tinubu government.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the state Police Public Relations Officer, assured that the meeting would be amicable and that there were no plans to arrest anyone.
However, the invitation comes amidst concerns about the government’s tolerance for criticism, particularly after the August protests were marred by police brutality, resulting in over 30 deaths and 1,000 arrests.
The August protests were part of a larger movement criticizing the Tinubu government’s policies, including the removal of fuel subsidies.
Civil society organizations, labor unions, student unions, and concerned Nigerians are now preparing for another massive protest on October 1st, Nigeria’s independence anniversary, tagged #EndBadGovernance 2.
Major Nigerian cities, such as Lagos, Abuja, Kaduna, Kano, Ibadan, Port Harcourt, and Ilorin, are expected to be involved in the protests.
The previous protests saw widespread demonstrations, with activists calling for improved governance and economic reforms.
As tensions rise ahead of the October 1st protests, the meeting between Juwon Sanyaolu and Commissioner Olanrewaju Ishola may be crucial in addressing concerns and preventing further clashes.
The planned protests have also sparked online discussions, with some Nigerians expressing support for the movement while some government supporters have criticized the protests as unnecessary.
October 1 FEARLESS Protest: Police Invite #EndBadGovernance Leader
