The Lagos State Police Command has invited Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, to a meeting with the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.
The Take It Back Movement is one of the key organizers behind the #EndBadGovernance protests that took place in Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, and other states in August.
In a letter dated September 24, 2024, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Jaiyeoba Joseph of the State Intelligence Department, the police extended an invitation to Sanyaolu and his executive team to discuss “issues of national interest.”
The meeting is scheduled for September 25, 2024, at 11:00 AM at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
“The new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, humbly invites you and your executive members for a meeting concerning issues of national interest,” the letter read.
When contacted by Punch, Lagos Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the meeting and assured that it would be a peaceful discussion, with no intent of arrest.
He stated that the new CP wanted to meet with key figures, adding, “The new CP just wants to meet everyone.”
Hundeyin also noted that Nollywood actors and social media influencers had been invited to similar meetings.
The invitation comes ahead of the “Fearless In October” nationwide protest planned for October 1, 2024. Sanyaolu was previously arrested by security agents on June 11, 2024, a day before the June 12 Democracy Day protests but was released two days later from the Ikeja Police Command.
When asked if the upcoming October protest would be part of the meeting’s discussions, Hundeyin confirmed that it would be, but reiterated that the meeting was not confrontational.
“Even if he doesn’t attend, there’s no issue,” he added.
