The Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris in a statement issued through the spokesman of the Force, DCP Don Awunah, has clarified the position of the police on public protest in Nigeria.
According to him, peaceful public protest / procession is an integral part of democratic norms in as much as it conforms with the rule of law and public order and the Nigerian Police Force did not placed a ban on peaceful protest and procession in the country and the Force recognizes the constitutional rights of every law abiding citizen to express his or her view through public protest/procession and other legitimate means.
He said, '' In order to ensure that public protest/procession is not hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants to unleash mayhem and disturbance of public peace, persons or group of persons undertaking public protest/procession should endeavor to notify the police to enable the police protect and process the public procession through designated routes and destinations.However, the Police will not condone any protest/procession on the public highways and roads inhibiting or disallowing public freedom and right of way.''
The statement further read ''The Inspector General of Police is committed to the principles of democratic policing and adherence to international best practices in public order management. To this end, State Commissioners of Police and Police Commanders are directed to put in place strategies to protect and facilitate lawful public protest/processions as well as protect other members of the public who are not engaged in any form of public protest/procession.''
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