June 12: Lagos CP Meets CSOs, Bans Protest Outside Ikeja

In preparation for the June 12 Democracy Day celebration, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olohundare Jimoh, on Wednesday met with leaders of fifteen Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to discuss the upcoming festivities and planned protest actions by some groups.

The meeting, held at the Command Headquarters in Ikeja, was aimed at fostering dialogue and ensuring that all activities scheduled for Democracy Day proceed peacefully and without disruption to public safety or order.

According to a statement released by the Command’s spokesperson, the engagement was interactive and productive, with all participating CSOs committing to peaceful conduct during the national celebration.

During the meeting, half of the CSOs confirmed they would partake in peaceful celebrations, while the other half expressed their intention to stage a peaceful protest, in commemoration of Nigeria’s return to democratic rule.

The protesting groups agreed to a coordinated plan, which includes converging at the Ikeja Under-Bridge and marching jointly to the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, which has been designated as the only approved location for protests on June 12.

The agreement explicitly bars any other demonstrations from taking place outside this designated area.

“The CSOs assured the Commissioner of Police that they will communicate the outcome of the meeting and the resolutions reached to other CSOs not in attendance to ensure widespread compliance.

“The meeting emphasized the importance of adhering to all security measures to protect lives and property across the State. All CSOs were urged to ensure that the protest remained peaceful and was not hijacked by hoodlums and miscreants to cause mayhem or chaos in the State.

“Furthermore, they were advised not to disrupt free flow of traffic, public peace, law and order, so as to enable millions of other well-meaning Nigerians to celebrate Democracy Day freely without hindrance,” Hundeyin said.

CSO representatives present at the meeting include leaders from Access to Advocacy & Rights of People, Center for Indigene Government Group, Ideal Society Advocacy Groups, Human Rights Monitor, Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR), among others.

June 12: Lagos CP Meets CSOs, Bans Protest Outside Ikeja is first published on The Whistler Newspaper