The Nigeria Police Force has revealed that foreign mercenaries are involved in the planned nationwide protest scheduled for August 1.
Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, disclosed this during a briefing in Abuja on Friday, citing credible intelligence.
He urged groups planning to participate in the demonstrations to submit their details to the Commissioners of Police in their respective states, according to Channels TV.
The police expressed concerned about the potential for the protest to be hijacked by criminal elements and have released guidelines for protesters, including establishing clear communication channels and minimizing the risk of violence.
The development has prompted President Bola Tinubu, state governors, security agencies, and traditional rulers to urge youths to shelve their planned action and give the government time to address their concerns.
The police have reiterated their commitment to deploying adequate personnel and resources to ensure public safety during the protest.
“We note those who have spoken out against any form of protest at this critical juncture, fearing enemies of our country may be manipulating the process.
“We confirm their fears are genuine, as we have credible intelligence on foreign mercenaries’ involvement in this planned protest,” the police boss said.
The IGP also released other guidelines to the protesters, among which were for them to “establish clear communication channels with protest leaders to address any concerns or issues that may arise; minimise the risk of violence, property damage, or other criminal activity.
“We encourage all protesters to cooperate with the police, obey the law, and adhere to global best practices for peaceful assembly to guarantee a safe and successful exercise of their rights.”
