The Nigeria Police says it would respond to the 1st August planned protest by some Nigerians, in a most professional manner.

Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun said this in Abuja during a meeting with Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above.

Egbetokun said the meeting was to share intelligence from the various Police Commands in the country and analyse same for the security of the country.

He noted that the police would remain committed to provide security for those that would engage in peaceful protest.

According to him, if the protest is peaceful, the Police will be seen to be protecting the protesters as long as they remain peaceful.

In his words, but the police have a duty to protect lives and property, so they will not sit back and watch hoodlums burning down facilities in the name of protest.

Egbetokun said the Police were not against peaceful protest, saying they will support peaceful protest by protecting those who will engage in peaceful protest.

He said the task of maintaining law and order during the protest would not be a challenge if the protesters engaged in peaceful protest.

According to him, it becomes a challenge if the protest is violent and he had always said the right to protest is right to peaceful protest.

He stated no civilised society will tolerate violent protest, saying violent protest is criminal, but peaceful protest is a right.

The Police Chief called on Nigerian youths to ignore anyone inciting them to violent protests.