The Take It Back Movement (TIB) has proposed a virtual meeting with the Lagos State Police Command to discuss the upcoming October 1 protest, citing logistical challenges for key members who are currently out of Lagos. This proposal was detailed in a letter sent on Wednesday to Assistant Commissioner of Police Jaiyeoba Joseph by the group’s legal team, Inibehe Effiong Chambers.
The police had previously invited TIB members, including National Coordinator Sanyaolu Juwon, to meet with the new Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola, to address national issues. However, TIB insiders expressed concerns that an in-person meeting could lead to potential arrests of their members.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed the invitation, emphasizing that the meeting’s intent was friendly and that no arrests were planned. He noted that the October 1 protest would be a significant topic of discussion.
In their letter, TIB’s legal representatives explained that the short notice of the meeting made it impractical for several key leaders to attend in person. They proposed a virtual meeting to facilitate participation from all members, enhancing the productivity of the discussions.
“Due to the short notice and the fact that several key members of the Take It Back Movement are currently out of Lagos State, attending the physical meeting may be impracticable. We respectfully propose a virtual meeting as an alternative,” the letter stated.
Should the police insist on a physical meeting, TIB indicated their willingness to reschedule for early October when all members could be present.
The planned October 1 protest, themed #FearlessInOctober, aims to draw attention to Nigeria’s economic challenges, particularly rising inflation and the ongoing fuel crisis.