The Nigeria Police has sound a note of warning to groups allegedly planning to mobilising for mass protest nationwide to desist from any violent destruction of lifes and properties.

It gave the warning following recent moves by some groups mobilising for a mass protest nationwide, reiterating that the right of citizens to protest is a right to peaceful protest only.

Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun who gave the warning, said the Nigeria police will protect the rights of all citizens including those on peaceful protest.

According to Egbetokun, no decent society anywhere in the world will tolerate violent destruction of lifes and properties in the name of a protest.

He noted that while the police 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.

In his words; those who want to stage a peaceful protest are advised to inform the police and request for police protection, saying those who do otherwise should be ready to face the full weight of the law.

Egbetokun reminded the public that it is a criminal offence to tamper with the national grid or prevent/distrupt the transmission of electricity.

According to him, it is equally unacceptable to cause distruption to any other Critical Infrastructure such as airports, hospitals and other essential services, or violent picketing in whatever magnitude.

He said the Police, being a civil and responsive institution, committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety and security of all citizens, therefore warns that any attempt to disrupt critical infrastructure, which could lead to an act of economic sabotage, treasonable felony, and jeopardise national security and public safety, will not be condoned during any protest action but will be met with the full force of the law.

Egbetokun 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.”

He equally appealed to parents and guardians to warn their wards not to be used by disgruntled and misguided individuals who are mobilising for violent protest with intent to create anarchy, saying such individuals are also advised to shelve their unpatriotic and clandestine plans in their own interest.

The Police Chief said the police remain dedicated to upholding the rights of citizens while ensuring that public order is maintained.