By MONDAY IJEH

The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered Commissioners of Police (CPs) to ensure peaceful conduct during the July 21 protest being organised by retired police officers over welfare.

The Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He said the order applies to Police Commands in states where formal notices for protest had been received.

The I-G had directed the CPs to provide adequate security coverage to the protesters who had chosen to publicly express their grievances.

The police boss urged the CPs to prevent any hijacking of the protest by miscreants, political actors, or non-retired agitators.

He enjoined the CPs to sensitise officers and men under their command on the constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, and the obligation to show utmost respect to the retired officers.

Egbetokun urged the senior police officers to deploy intelligence and operational resources of the force to protect lives, maintain public order, and safeguard institutional integrity.

The I-G urged police officers to note that the protest, described as “the mother of all peaceful protests”, must not only be peaceful, but it must also be exemplary.

He said the protest must be allowed to stand as a national model for dignified expression of grievance and responsible public order management.

“We must show, by conduct and command, that the Nigeria Police Force is both professional and humane,” he said. (NAN)