The Lagos State Police Command has extended an invitation to Juwon Sanyaolu, National Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, for a meeting with the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.
The Take It Back Movement played a significant role in organizing the #EndBadGovernance protests held in August across Lagos, the Federal Capital Territory, and other states.
In a letter dated 24 September 2024, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Intelligence Department, Jaiyeoba Joseph, Sanyaolu and his executive members were invited to discuss “issues of national interest.” The meeting is set for Wednesday, 25 September 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Lagos State Police Command Headquarters in Ikeja.
The letter, seen by The Punch, read, “The new Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, humbly invites you and your executive members for a meeting concerning issues of national interest.”
When contacted, the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, emphasized that the meeting would be cordial, assuring that no arrests were planned. “Yes, the invitation is confirmed. The new CP just wants to meet everyone,” Hundeyin said.
Hundeyin further noted that the Commissioner had already met with a Nollywood actor earlier on Tuesday and had plans to invite social media influencers as well.
The invitation comes ahead of a planned nationwide protest, dubbed “Fearless In October,” scheduled to kick off on 1 October 2024.
Sanyaolu was previously arrested by security forces in Lagos on 11 June 2024, a day before the 12 June Democracy Day protests, but was released two days later after being detained at the Ikeja Police Headquarters.
When asked whether the planned October protest would be discussed during the meeting, Hundeyin replied, “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.”
