Juwon Sanyaolu, [/b]the national coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, has received an invitation from the Lagos State Police Command to meet with Olanrewaju Ishola, the newly appointed commissioner of police. This invitation comes in the wake of the recent activities surrounding the #EndBadGovernance demonstrations held in Lagos and several other states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The Take It Back Movement was one of the key organizations behind the August protests, which aimed to address various issues of governance and accountability in the country. The scheduled meeting is set to take place on Wednesday, 25 September 2024, at 11:00 am, at the Commissioner of Police's office located within the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
In the letter of invitation, it was noted that “The new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, humbly invites you and your executive members for a meeting concerning issues of national interest.” This implies a desire for dialogue and understanding between law enforcement and community organizers regarding pressing societal concerns.
When reached for comments on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the invitation and emphasized that the meeting would be cordial. He assured that the police had no intentions of arresting anyone during this engagement. “Yes, the invitation is confirmed. The new CP just wants to meet everyone,” Hundeyin stated, indicating an openness to discussion rather than confrontation.
Hundeyin also mentioned that a Nollywood actor had recently visited the command for a discussion with the Commissioner of Police, indicating a broader outreach to various community figures and social media influencers who have also been invited to the meeting. This illustrates the police's intention to foster positive relations with influential figures in society.
The invitation to Sanyaolu and his group comes as tensions rise ahead of another anticipated nationwide protest, titled ‘Fearless In October,’ scheduled to commence on 1 October 2024. This context adds further significance to the meeting, as discussions surrounding the upcoming protest are likely to be a topic of interest.
It's worth noting that Sanyaolu was previously arrested by security agents in Lagos on 11 June 2024, just a day before the Democracy Day protest on 12 June. He was released two days later from the Ikeja headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command, which has likely heightened his profile within activist circles.
When asked whether the agenda for the planned October protest would be discussed during the meeting, Hundeyin affirmed, “Of course, the October protest will also be discussed, but it’s not a confrontation. Even if he doesn’t attend, there’s no issue.” This statement underscores the police's intention to engage with activists constructively, even in the context of ongoing social movements.
