The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun on Monday broke the silence over alleged arrest of minors during last August #EndBadGovernance protests.
Egbetokun said that those detained were criminal elements engaged in arson, destruction of property as well as looting of shops and public facilities, adding that they were not peaceful protesters or minors.
Speaking at a workshop on enhancing professionalism in criminal investigation at the Police Resource Centre in Abuja, Egbetokun said ,“Nobody, including any minor, was detained simply for protesting. We upheld their right to peaceful protest and provided security.
“Minors were not arrested for participating in protests. This narrative is being falsely propagated.
Egbetokun clarified that those arrested were caught in criminal acts, including setting public facilities on fire, looting warehouses and shops, and destroying property.
“The suspects were captured on video committing these crimes, including arson and large-scale looting. The police did not arrest anybody who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest. We arrested criminals who took advantage of the protest to cause destruction to public infrastructure, to destroy private businesses. Those ones cannot be regarded as protesters.
“But we arrested the criminals. So, it’s a wrong narrative. It is mischievous for anybody to push that narrative out that those 76 suspects that were arraigned in court were suspects, and were people who participated in the #EndBadGovernance protest.
“We have said time and time that protesting is a right of citizens. But the constitution that gives you the right to protest also gives you the right to respect the rights of others. So, we don’t go against people who come out to protest.
Egbetokun expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for directing the release of those arrested.
