The Ekiti State Police Command has been directed to conduct raids on all vulcanizer shops within its jurisdiction and confiscate any unused tyres.
This directive comes in preparation for the nationwide protests set to begin on August 1, 2024, under the hashtag #EndBadGovernanceinNigeria, which has gained considerable traction on social media.
A widely circulated police wireless message, addressed to Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) and various units, warns that any DPO whose area experiences burn fires during the protests will face consequences.
The message, titled “Order and Directives Re: Nationwide Protest Against Bad Governance in Nigeria,” reads, “In view of the Inspector General of Police Conference/briefing with Assistant Inspector Generals of Police zones and Commissioners of Police in all states on the above subject, the Commissioner of Police directs you to go out at midnight, raid vulcanizer shops in your Area of Responsibility (AOR), and seize all unused tyres. Dispose of them to prevent protesters from using them to set burn fires on the highway.
“Any DPO in whose AOR burn fires occur will be sanctioned accordingly. Ensure strict compliance, please.”
When contacted, Sunday Abutu, the Public Relations Officer for the Ekiti State Command, explained that the directive was necessary due to intelligence reports indicating that some individuals plan to disturb the peace and movement of citizens using available and unused tyres.
He added, “Peaceful protest is a right of all citizens, but protests characterized by threats, bloodshed, and destruction of property and lives are unacceptable.”
The Presidency, police, and military have all cautioned against the protest, emphasizing the need for the nation to recover from the #EndSARS protests.
