#FearlessOctober1 protest to proceed despite security concerns

Organizers of the #FearlessOctober1 protest have announced that the police, Department of State Services, and military will not prevent them from carrying out the march as planned.

The organisers have also written to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, requesting protection for the rally, stating that protest is a fundamental right that they will not surrender to any state agency.

Nigeria will celebrate its 64th independence day on Tuesday, October 1, the day some Nigerian youngsters have chosen to protest the hardship caused by the elimination of gasoline subsidies and the depreciation of the currency.

The National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, and the group’s Director of Mobilisation, Damilare Adenola, announced that mobilisation efforts had begun and that Nigerians were mobilising from all over the country for the demonstration.

“We have also written to the Inspector General of Police, informing him of our protest locations and reminding him of the constitutional duty of the police to protect protesters as opposed to the repression we have witnessed in times past,” said Sanyaolu.

The group revealed that the FCT protest would take place at Eagle Square, the same location as the Independence Day procession, while the Lagos rally would take place at the Ikeja Under Bridge.

The organizers stated that the protest would take place across the country and that only a ‘rapid reversal of fuel subsidy removal’ would deter them from participating.

The IG, Egbetokun, had asked the Force zonal and state commands to deploy soldiers to strategic sites starting Monday till a stand-down order was issued.

Egbetokun further requested that police officers dress in camouflage and wear hats, while also requesting that Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police engage and prevent civil society groups and individuals from participating in the protest.

However, the protest’s leader, Omoyele Sowore, stated that the kids were not afraid of the police and that the protest would proceed as planned.

Sowore indicated that the claimed fear of violence during the event was unfounded.

“Nobody has expressed to us or anyone that they’re afraid because they know we are not violent protesters; maybe you should ask that of the government,” he added.

Deji Adeyanju, the organisers’ lawyer, said it was improper for police to summon demonstrators who were exercising their rights.

“The police do not have the right to summon protesters like they are currently doing. It is the responsibility of the police to protect the protesters anytime they embark on a demonstration. The protesters are not political parties; security agencies should not harass them,” he stated.

The counsel stated that the crackdown on #EndBadGovernance demonstrators in August was intended to deter individuals from participating in future demonstrations in the country.

However, he stated that the arrest and detention of some of the demonstrators would not prevent young people from participating in the #FearlessOctober1 protest.

Adeyanju said, “The government plans to discourage people from coming out to protest; that is why they are still detaining our comrades who participated in the August protest. But that will not dampen the morale of the youths on the #FearlessOctober protest.”

Adenola, on his part, stated that the presence of security agents would not dissuade the organisers.

He stated that the #FearlessOctober1 protest was a continuation of the #Endbadgovernance protest, which occurred in August, and that the event was forced by the Federal Government’s inability to meet their requests.

He highlighted some of their demands, which included reversing the subsidy withdrawal program, amending the constitution, revamping the legislature, and unconditional release of protestors in police custody.

Adenola said, “We are unperturbed by the threats issued by security agencies. What we have seen so far is that they (security agencies) don’t respect the rights of protesters; they may end up instigating violence against protesters.

“But we will keep warning them to ensure that they respect people’s right to express their grievances as guaranteed by the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“We are also using this opportunity to call on the Nigerian people to come out unafraid and express their grievances. When we have enough protesters on the ground, the police and other security agencies will dare not harass them.

“People are experiencing hardship, and the government is telling them not to protest. It is just natural; people have to speak up against this hardship inflicted by President Bola Tinubu’s government,” Adenola said.

Peluola Adewale, Secretary of the Democratic Socialist Movement, told Sunday Punch that no harassment or intimidation from security forces would halt the protest and that around eight civil society groups will take part in the event in Lagos State.

He urged the government against funding hoodlums to infiltrate legitimate protestors during the events, claiming that the demonstrations in Lagos would be peaceful.

“We cannot rule out the fact that the government can sponsor violence to discredit the protest, but we want to warn them against that. People should not be deprived of their freedom of expression and assembly. Protest is our fundamental right, and we cannot surrender it to the police or anyone. We are not afraid of the police, DSS, or military,” he added.

Another protest organizer, Taiwo Hassan, stated that Nigerians had the right to free expression and lawful assembly.

He said, “We are never going to submit our rights. Yes, you know many people might be afraid of what will happen if they are shot or what happens if they are arrested. But increasingly as people are thinking of that, people are also realising that our condition in this country is one between the devil and the deep blue sea. If you come out to protest, yes, maybe there is a chance that you might be arrested or you might be killed.

“But people also realize that even when you stay at home and don’t come out to protest, it doesn’t mean your life will be safe. Hunger is killing people right there in their bedroom. People are committing suicide and the state of insecurity means that none of us is safe.”

Meanwhile, the Katsina State Police Command has stated that it has implemented precautions to prevent the planned statewide demonstration from devolving into pandemonium.

ASP Abubakar Sadiq, the state Police Public Relations Officer, stated on Saturday that the command has mobilised both human and intelligence resources to ensure safety before, during, and after the demonstration.

Sadiq said, “We have taken proactive measures to ensure public safety and security. Adequate personnel have been deployed to prevent any breakdown of law and order, with enhanced intelligence gathering, surveillance, and patrols across the state.

“While we recognise the rights of citizens to protest, we urge protesters to exercise these rights responsibly and within the framework of the law.”