He cautioned that military intervention in protests had led to violent riots, citing examples such as the Kenya protests and the #EndSARS movement, which resulted in loss of life and property.
Human rights activist and lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, has urged the Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, to restrict soldiers to their barracks during the upcoming national protest in August 1, 2024.
In a letter dated July 30, 2024, Adeyanju, a key organiser of the protest, requested that the army personnel remain in their barracks, emphasising that the Nigerian Police Force is responsible for maintaining internal security and protecting protesters.
He cautioned that military intervention in protests had led to violent riots, citing examples such as the Kenya protests and the #EndSARS movement, which resulted in loss of life and property.
The protest is scheduled to begin on Thursday, August 1, 2024.
The letter SaharaReporters obtained on Tuesday partly read: "We write as a pro human rights law firm to draw your attention to the disturbing deployment of men of the Nigerian Army across the Federal Capital Territory and other cities in an attempt to suppress the scheduled August 1, 2024 national protest.
"The task of providing internal security, including the protection of protesters during the scheduled protest, lies with the Nigerian Police Force and not the Nigerian Army.
"You may also recall that at all times when the armed forces intervened in any protest, including the recent ongoing Kenya protest, such protest often escalates into full blown riot leading to loss of lives and property.
"It is on the premise of the foregoing that we urge withdraw your men back to the barracks as we do not want a repeat of soldiers killing protesters as was witnessed during EndSARS."
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