… Popular activist, Sanyaolu Juwon arrested
By Bose Adelaja
CITIZENS COMPASS –The Nigeria Police on Tuesday, warned Nigerians against nationwide protests slated for Wednesday June 12, 2024, saying it will not tolerate protests that would yield to destruction of lives and property.
A press statement e-signed and released to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated that, “Following recent moves by some groups mobilizing for a mass protest nationwide, the Nigeria Police Force reiterate that the right of citizens to protest is a right to peaceful protest only. The Nigeria police will protect the rights of all citizens including those on peaceful protest. “However, no decent society anywhere in the world will tolerate violent destruction of lives and properties in the name of a protest. While the NPF is committed to protecting the rights of those on peaceful protest, it will not look on to see the rights of others being violated in the name of a mass protest.
“Those who want to stage a peaceful protest are advised to inform the police and request for police protection. Those who do otherwise should be ready to face the full weight of the law. “Members of the public are again reminded that it is a criminal offence to tamper with the national grid or prevent/ distrupt the transmission of electricity. It is equally unacceptable to cause distruption to any other Critical Infrastructure such as airports, hospitals and other essential services, or violent picketing in whatever magnitude.”
According to the statement, “The Nigeria Police Force, being a civil and responsive institution, committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, therefore warns that any attempt to disrupt critical infrastructure, which could lead to an act of economic sabotage, treasonable felony, and jeopardize national security and public safety, will not be condoned during any protest action but will be met with the full force of the law.”
“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and State Command Commissioners of Police in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure robust security arrangements are in place to prevent any breakdown of law and order including strategic deployments to protect key infrastructures and ensure that protests, if any, remain peaceful and lawful.”
“The Police equally appeals to parents and guardians to warn their wards not to be used by disgruntled and misguided individuals who are mobilizing for violent protest with intent to create anarchy. Such individuals are also advised to shelve their unpatriotic and clandestine plans in their own interest.”
“We remain dedicated to upholding the rights of citizens while ensuring that public order is maintained.”
Similarly, the Department of State Services (DSS) has issued an alert, warning the public about planned physical protests across the country.
DSS spokesman, Mr. Peter Afunanya, in a statement made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) on Tuesday, also noted that though citizens have a right to protest, it should not be to undermine public safety and national security.
Read the statement in full:
The attention of the Department of State Services (DSS) has been drawn to plans by certain individuals and groups to stage physical protests in some parts of the country on 12th June, 2024. The protests are designed with sinister objectives to coincide with the Democracy Day Celebration. While citizens may have the rights of assembly and expression, such freedoms should not be used to undermine public safety and national security.
The determination by some non-state actors to incite mass disaffection through demonstrations that may turn violent will not be tolerated. However, it is instructive to note that violent demonstrations are at variance with the peaceful disposition of the Federal Government to amicably address all contentions including the minimum wage. Citizens are, therefore, called upon to resist any persuasions to be lawless or cause disorder and anarchy in the nation. Displeased persons are rather encouraged to appropriately channel their grievances through the right channels and procedures.
Consequently, the DSS reaffirms its unequivocal position to protect the country from inimical acts being orchestrated by disgruntled groups to cause a breakdown of law and order. It will also sustain collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, including sister security agencies, to maintain the peace as well as protect lives and property across the nation. Law abiding citizens are enjoined to go about their businesses without fear.
The Service, while felicitating the government and citizens on this auspicious occasion of celebrating 25 years of unbroken democracy, calls for continued patriotism, unity and commitment in building a Nigeria of our collective dream. Meanwhile, the DSS website, dss.gov.ng; email address- dsspr@dss.gov.ng and Telephone lines +2349153391309;+2349088373514 remain open to the public in the event that there is need to contact it.
However, some Civil Society Organisations (CSOs, on Tuesday night, replied Police and DSS that protests are fundamental human rights and the government has no right to infringe on these.
They alarmed that one of their leaders, Sanyaolu Juwon, was arrested at about 10p.m on Tuesday.h
The CSOs said that the arrests of their leaders would not in any way deter them from exercising their human rights against hardship in Nigeria.
The activists disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.
The statement titled, “June 12 protests: too late, arrest of any leader will not deter us, Nigerians are hungry and tired and will protest against the tinubu regime tomorrow and beyond, was jointly signed by Speaker Bright, Coordinator, TakeitBack Movement, North West, Peluola Adewale, National Mobilization Officer, Joint Action Front (JAF), Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign, Comrade Ayoyinka Oni, Chairman, African Action Congress (AAC), Lagos Chapter and Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, National Chair, Socialist Workers League.
It reads, “Information reaching us as at 10.05 pm is that one of the coordinators of the #WeAreHungry Protests slated for tomorrow 12 June 2024 have been arrested by security agents in Lagos, following a series of threats by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force to clampdown on peaceful democracy day protests.
“Around 10 p.m, Comrade Sanyaolu Juwon, the National Coordinator of the TIB sent distress messages to members of the movement saying he had been arrested and taken to an unknown location. Efforts to reach him have been futile.
We are not surprised at this strategy of intimidation but the news we have for this tyrannical and ruinous Tinubu regime is that the arrest is rather too late. The veil is off and Nigerians can see through the cluelessness of this government.
“We want to state categorically that the tactics of the Nigeria Security apparatus already mobilized by the Presidency, is too late. Nigerians are not deterred as they have resolved to protest against hardship and nothing shall stop them tomorrow.
“We also want to advise that instead of wasting time on harassment and arrests, the Police should release him immediately as these acts of human rights violation will be heavily resisted now and beyond.
“Our demands, in the midst of the wicked policies of the Tinubu regime, are that hardship must end, gruesome hunger must end, insecurity claiming lives of thousands must end, hike in fees must stop, fuel hike must end etc.
“In conclusion, we again urge Nigeria’s long-suffering people not to concede to threat and intimidation. Protest is an alienable right under a democracy. We shall not relent until victory is achieved.
