The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has instructed officers nationwide to “deal decisively” with arsonists and troublemakers as youths begin #EndBadGovernance protests against hunger and economic hardship across the country from Thursday, 1 August 2024.

In a statement personally signed on the eve of the nationwide protests, the police chief noted that the organisers of the planned demonstrations had failed to provide the police with crucial details such as the names of participants and the routes of the rallies.

The IGP stated that the movement’s name, ‘Take It Back Movement’, carried significant undemocratic, unconstitutional, and illegal connotations. He added that intelligence reports indicated the protests were intended to create chaos and harm innocent citizens.

Egbetokun declared that the police would not stand by and allow the situation to deteriorate into a “state of anarchy.” He placed all police formations across the country on high alert to protect innocent lives and properties from potential attacks and destruction.

“All officers and men of the Nigeria Police are hereby directed to act and deal decisively with any acts of arson, intimidation, harassment of citizens, threats to lives and properties, breaches of peace, or any criminal activities that may arise from the planned protests in any part of the country. Perpetrators of any crime will be arrested and promptly prosecuted,” he stated.

The planned protests against economic hardship, which have gained traction on social media, are scheduled to take place across all states of the Federation and the nation’s capital, Abuja, in August.

In recent months, food and basic commodity prices have soared as Nigerians face one of the country’s worst inflation rates and economic crises, triggered by the government’s dual policies of petrol subsidy removal and the unification of forex windows.

The police, military, and Department of State Services have warned against Kenya-style protests. Politicians, concerned that the planned rallies might escalate into another EndSARS demonstration similar to those of October 2020, have continued to urge youths to cancel the planned rallies. However, the young people remain resolute, insisting that the protests will go ahead.