IGP Ignored My Queries on Viral Threat Video By “Thugs” in Lagos – Human Rights Lawyer

According to Human Rights Lawyer Inibehe Effiong, the Inspector General of Police ignored an inquiry about the action the Nigeria police is taking on thugs who threatened Lagos residents not to protest in a viral video on X earlier today.

Effiong asked the IGP in a virtual meeting to discuss the upcoming #EndBadGovernance protests slated to begin on August 1.

Some key figures, such as the Force Public Relations Officer, Femi Falana SAN, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa SAN, and other civil society leaders and activists, were in attendance.

The meeting was in response to a letter from Mr Adegboruwa on behalf of the Take It Back Movement and had about 16 participants.

The meeting was held for a broader debate on the issue at hand—planned protests and for the IGP to address concerns and expectations from various quarters, Effiong wrote on X.

When invited to comment, human rights lawyer Effiong noted that he came up with some salient questions on a trending video showing some thugs in Lagos who were threatening violence on protesters.

He asked the IGP to confirm whether he had seen the video and if he would direct the Lagos State Commissioner of Police to arrest the thugs to deter others with plans for unrest.

According to the lawyer, the IGP did not respond to this particular question, even with multiple reminders from other participants.

The IGP, however, advised the protests to be confined to the identified locations. Efiong asked if the police would break up protests outside the identified venues.

IGP responded that no plans had been made to disrupt rallies on the roads or protests outside communicated locations.

However, he said that the police could not guarantee security for protesters if they did not remain within the identified areas.

Effiong noted that he reminded the IGP about his legacy and how a peaceful protest would be credited to his era while bloody police violence would soil his record.

Recall West Africa Weekly earlier reported that Thugs have threatened residents in Lagos Island ahead of the #EndBadGovernance protest.

In a video seen on X,  the thugs warned market traders that whoever comes out Thursday to protest would be dealt with mercilessly.

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