By Emmanuel Adeniyi
The Lagos State Police Command has invited the National Coordinator of the Take It Back (TIB) Movement, Juwon Sanyaolu, for a meeting with the newly appointed Commissioner of Police, Olanrewaju Ishola.
The TIB is one of the organisers of the #EndBadgovernance protest which took place in August in Lagos and several other states including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
In a letter dated September 24, 2024, signed by Assistant Commissioner of Police, State Intelligence Department, Jaiyeoba Joseph, the police extended the invitation to Juwon and his executive members to discuss “issues of national interest.”
The meeting is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at 11am, at the office of the Commissioner of Police, located 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 bordering on issues of national interest,” a copy of the letter sighted read.
When contacted on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, told PUNCH Online that the meeting would be a friendly one, adding that the police had no intention of arresting anyone.
“Yes, the invitation is confirmed. The new CP just wants to know everybody,” Hundeyin said.
He added that a Nollywood artist was at the command on Tuesday and had a chat with the CP, noting that some social media influencers were also invited.
The invitation comes amid another planned nationwide protest tagged ‘Fearless In October’ scheduled to commence on October 1, 2024.
Sanyaolu was arrested by security agents in Lagos on June 11, 2024, a day before the July 12 Democracy Day protest.
Sanyaolu was released from the Ikeja headquarters of the Lagos State Police Command two days later.
When asked if the planned October protest was part of the meeting agenda, Hundeyin said, “Of course, the October protest will also be discussed, but it’s not a fight at all. Even if he refuses to show up, there is no problem.”