By Hope James
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, said that the motive of Nigerians for the nationwide protest, was to loot and destroy properties, Edum News reports.
He made this revelation while speaking at the Force Headquarters on Thursday.
According to him, Nigerians ignored the several warnings and court orders given concerning the protest and allowed the protest to degenerate into violence.
He noted that the Police showed professional conduct by providing security at strategic locations all aimed at ensuring peaceful conduct during the protest as the promoters pledged.
Egbetokun further disclosed that the Force had been alerted that terror elements may take advantage of the protests to infiltrate the crowd of protesters with suicide bombers, adding that in Lagos, the Police was informed of a suspected IED on Bank Anthony Way, Ikeja, after which the team responded swiftly and rendered safe what turned out to be an improvised explosive device.
He added that an incident of explosion was recorded in Borno on Thursday, which occurred in the crowd of protesters killing 4 instantly and severely injuring 34 others, many of whom are presently on danger list.
His words, “You will recall that upon several indications by various groups of their intent to commence a nationwide protest on August 1, 2024, we rolled out several warnings based on actionable intelligence at our disposal showing the intent of some groups to foment trouble and create anarchy in the country.
“While some groups claiming to be mobilizing for peaceful protests were doing so with violent undertones refusing to cooperate with the Police on measures to be taken to ensure the protest remained peaceful.
“Based on this intelligence, the Police advised that the protests be shelved at the instant time. Where the organizers insisted on going on with the protests, they were advised to stage the protest in confined locations.
“Despite our suspicions, we showed good faith through professional conduct by providing security at strategic locations all aimed at ensuring peaceful conduct during the protest as the promoters pledged.
“Our men deployed nationwide went out with a clear brief to ensure that no one is unnecessarily harassed or intimidated.
“In places where there were court orders, we gave instructions for observance of same. Regrettably, events in some major cities today showed that what was being instigated was mass uprising and looting, not protest”.
