August 1 Protest: Adegboruwa Requests Police and DSS Protection for Demonstrators

Human rights activist Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has notified Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) Yusuf Bichi, requesting protection for a planned protest by the Take It Back Movement.

In a letter dated July 26, 2024, Adegboruwa, acting as a solicitor for the movement, informed the security agencies that the protest would take place from August 1 to 10, 2024. The rallies are planned for Eagle Square in Abuja, various public spaces in the capitals of the 36 states, and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.

Adegboruwa urged the security agencies to provide details of any officers or teams assigned to cover the rallies and processions.

This request follows warnings from security agencies and groups regarding the planned protest. On Thursday, the DSS cautioned against the demonstrations, claiming it had identified the sponsors.

While the DSS acknowledged the right to protest, it warned that some elements planned to hijack the movement. DSS spokesman Peter Afunanya stated, “The plotters desire to use the intended violent outcome to smear the federal and sub-national governments, make them unpopular, and pit them against the masses.” He added, “The long-term objective is to achieve a regime change, especially at the centre.”

Protest advocates cited poor governance and continued hardship caused by rising core and food inflation, at 34.19 percent and 40.87 percent, respectively, as reasons for their dissatisfaction.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, governors, and ministers have pleaded with Nigerians to halt the planned protest. Speaking with traditional rulers led by the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, on Thursday, Tinubu said, “Nigeria is on the path of recovery.” The president highlighted the commencement of the student loan scheme, the N70,000 new minimum wage, and the establishment of the consumer credit initiative as reasons why Nigerians should reconsider the proposed protest.