Nigeria police refute claims of 4pm curfew ahead of protest

The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed recent claims that Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun imposed a strict 4pm curfew on protests nationwide.

The denial follows increasing concerns and widespread speculation on social media about the curfew’s enforcement.

Nigerians are preparing for a nationwide protest against President Bola Tinubu’s government, scheduled from August 1 to August 10 under the banner #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria.

In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi clarified that no such curfew directive had been issued by the IGP. He emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to safeguarding citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest, as guaranteed by the Nigerian Constitution.

Adejobi noted that official communication about such matters would be made through the Nigeria Police Force’s official channels if true.

The statement read: “Recent reports about a 4pm curfew for protests are entirely false and misleading. The IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, has not declared any such curfew. Any accurate information would be shared through official Nigeria Police Force platforms.”

“The incorrect reports are purely speculative and do not reflect the stance of the Nigerian police. We urge media outlets and the public to disregard this misinformation and rely on official statements from the Nigeria Police Force or other authorized government bodies,” he said.