Lagos Police alert officers ahead of nationwide protest over living costs, free speech
The Lagos State Police Command has placed all its commanders and officers on alert ahead of a planned nationwide protest slated for April 7, 2025.
This directive follows intelligence reports indicating that certain groups, reportedly operating under the banner of civil society organisations, CSOs, are mobilising citizens for demonstrations across the country.
In a circular signed by Deputy Commissioner of Police, Tijani O. Fatai, the Command warned of coordinated efforts to stage protests focused on rising living costs and alleged government clampdowns on free speech.
The circular reads: “Intelligence report at the Command disposal reveals a plan by some subversive groups parading themselves as Civil Society Organisations, CSOs, and other misguided anti-government forces, to incite nationwide protest on 7th April 2025 aimed at drawing the attention of the Government to their perceived prevailing high cost of living and free speech suppression.
“Furthermore, the groups have flooded the social media platforms with narrations geared towards winning public sympathy, discrediting the government and galvanising support for the protest. Experience has shown that criminals may want to seize the opportunity of the protest to cause mayhem, particularly to launch attacks on government facilities and opposition leaders to disrupt socio-economic activities in the State, amongst others.
“Consequently, the Commissioner of Police has ordered security measures to be beefed up around critical installations and other strategic locations across the State in order to forestall any untoward development before, during and after the proposed protest
