Organizers of the #FearlessOctober1 protest have asserted their determination to proceed with the demonstration despite potential opposition from the police, the Department of State Services, and the military.
In a bid to ensure safety during the protest, they have reached out to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, formally requesting security support. They emphasize that protesting is a fundamental right and that they will not yield to pressure from any state authority.
As Nigeria approaches its 64th independence anniversary on Tuesday, October 1, many young Nigerians plan to voice their grievances regarding the economic challenges stemming from the removal of fuel subsidies and the naira’s devaluation.
Juwon Sanyaolu, the National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, along with Damilare Adenola, the group’s Director of Mobilisation, have confirmed that efforts to mobilize participants are underway, with individuals from various regions of the country joining in for the protest.
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“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 organizers announced that the protest in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) will take place at Eagle Square, the same location as the Independence Day parade. Meanwhile, the Lagos protest is set to occur at the Ikeja Under Bridge.
They emphasized that the demonstration will be held nationwide and stated that nothing short of an “immediate reversal of the fuel subsidy removal” would deter them from carrying out their plans.
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has instructed the Force’s zonal and state commands to deploy personnel to key locations starting Monday, and to maintain this presence until a stand-down order is issued.
Additionally, Egbetokun has mandated that officers be dressed in camouflage uniforms and hats. He has also called on Assistant Inspectors General of Police and Commissioners of Police to actively engage with and discourage civil society groups and individuals from taking part in the protest.
Omoyele Sowore, a leader of the protest, stated that the youth are not intimidated by the police and reaffirmed that the demonstration will proceed as scheduled. He clarified that concerns regarding potential violence during the protest are unfounded and not reflective of the group’s intentions.
“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 lawyer representing the organizers, expressed that it is inappropriate for the police to summon protesters who are simply 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 lawyer pointed out that the crackdown on #EndBadGovernance protesters in August was intended to dissuade individuals from participating in future demonstrations across the country. However, he asserted that the arrest and detention of some demonstrators would not prevent youths from taking part 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 stated that the organizers would not be discouraged by the presence of security agencies. He emphasized that the #FearlessOctober1 demonstration is a continuation of the #EndBadGovernance protest held in August, driven by the Federal Government’s failure to address their demands.
He outlined several of their demands, including the reversal of the subsidy removal policy, constitutional amendments, a complete overhaul of the legislature, and the unconditional release of protesters currently 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.
In the meantime, the Katsina State Police Command has announced that it has taken measures to prevent the planned nationwide protest from escalating into chaos.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Sadiq, stated on Saturday that the command has mobilized both personnel 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.”
