June 12 protests: Too late, arrest of any leader will not deter us

• Police warn against violent protest

Coalition of several pro-democracy groups have insisted on carrying out a protest on June 12 over the deplorable conditions in the country, insisting Nigerians are hungry and tired of the President Bola Tinubu administration.

In a statement jointly signed by Speaker Bright, Coordinator, TakeitBack Movement, North West;Peluola Adewale, National Mobilization Officer, Joint Action Front (JAF); Hassan Taiwo Soweto, National Coordinator, Education Rights Campaign; Comrade Ayoyinka Oni, Chairman, African Action Congress (AAC), Lagos Chapter and Kunle Wizeman Ajayi, National Chair, Socialist Workers League, the group said no amount of intimidation or arrest of its members will stop the protest.

“Information reaching us as at 10.05 pm is that one of the coordinators of the #WeAreHungry Protests slated for 12 June 2024 has been arrested by security agents in Lagos, following series of threats by the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Police Force to clampdown on peaceful democracy day protest.

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“Around 10 pm, Comrade Sanyaolu Juwon, the National Coordinator of the TIB sent distress messages to members of the movement saying he has been arrested and taken to an unknown location. Efforts to reach him have been futile.

“We are not surprised at this strategy of intimidation but the news we have for this tyrannical and ruinous Tinubu regime is that the arrest is rather too late. The veil is off and Nigerians can see through the cluelessness of this government.

“We want to state categorically that the tactics of the Nigeria Security apparatus already mobilized by the Presidency, is too late. Nigerians are not deterred as they have resolved to protest against hardship and nothing shall stop them tomorrow.

“We also want to advise that instead of wasting time on harassment and arrests, the Police should release him immediately as these acts of human rights violation will be heavily resisted now and beyond.

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“Our demands, in the midst of the wicked policies of the Tinubu regime, are that hardship must end, gruesome hunger must end, insecurity claiming lives of thousands must end, hike in fees must stop, fuel hike must end etc.

Meanwhile, Police warned against destruction of public properties and disturbance of public spaces.

In a statement , Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained that ,” the Nigeria police will protect the rights of all citizens including those on peaceful protest,but will not look on to see the rights of other citizens being violated.

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“No decent society anywhere in the world will tolerate violent destruction of lives and property in the name of a protest. While the NPF is committed to protecting the rights of those on peaceful protest, it will not look on to see the rights of others being violated in the name of a mass protest.

“The Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed all Zonal Assistant Inspectors General of Police and State Command Commissioners of Police in collaboration with other security agencies to ensure robust security arrangements are in place to prevent any breakdown of law and order including strategic deployments to protect key infrastructures and ensure that protests, if any, remain peaceful and lawful.

“The Police equally appeals to parents and guardians to warn their wards not to be used by disgruntled and misguided individuals who are mobilizing for destruction with intent to create anarchy. Such individuals are advised in their own interest to shelve their unpatriotic and clandestine plans.