Suspend Protests Now – Adegboruwa Tells Nigerian Youths

Human rights lawyer, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, has called for the immediate suspension of the ongoing nationwide protests against bad governance in Nigeria.

Adegboruwa, who represents the Take It Back Movement, a key organizer of the protests, conveyed this message in a statement released on Friday.

“Though the intention of the organisers was to achieve peaceful and well-coordinated protests, it would seem that fifth columnists and some angry persons infiltrated the ranks of the protesters to derail their laudable mission.

“I appeal to the protesters to withdraw themselves from their various protest grounds and to suspend the protests immediately and indefinitely, to give room for meaningful dialogue and engagement with the government.

“Given that the protests were said to have been hijacked by sponsored agents, it is necessary to avoid further losses and casualties.

“The organisers of the protests and their representatives should embrace dialogue with the government,” the lawyer said.

Adegboruwa expressed his “sincere condolences to the employers and families of the security personnel and also to the protesters, praying to God to comfort them and to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable losses”.

Naija News recalls that Adegboruwa had last Friday written to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to notify him of planned public meetings, rallies, and processions being organised by a non-governmental body, the Take It Back Movement, all its members, and some other patriotic Nigerians and groups.

The human rights activist, in a letter dated Friday, July 26, 2024, stated that the planned rallies would commence from Aug. 1 to 10, 2024, or any time thereafter at the Eagle Square in Abuja and other public spaces in the capital cities of all the 36 states and the headquarters of the 774 local government councils.

Adegboruwa, while reiterating the role of the police during such rallies and protests, urged the IGP to make available the details of any police officer or police team that will be assigned to cover the said meetings/rallies/processions to harmonise plans and strategies for the same.

The request comes against the background of warnings from security agencies and groups over the planned protest.

However, the legal practitioner has now called for the suspension of the protest following incidents of killings, lootings and destruction of government properties by suspected hoodlums who are said to have hijacked the protest.