The National Coalition Against Mass Killings and Impunity and the Gani Fawehinmi Memorial Organisation (GAFAMORG) has written to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, regarding the planned peaceful protest against injustice, insecurity, economic hardship, corruption, and other issues in Nigeria on June 12, 2025.
In an open letter to the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and all security agencies, the coalition emphasised the importance of respecting the rights of peaceful protesters and warned against the use of force and lethal weapons.
The groups, in the letter, dated June 2, 2025 and obtained by The Guardian, yesterday, copied the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Director-General, Department of State Services (DSS), Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Chairman, National Human Rights Commission, United Nations Office in Nigeria, African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights International and local media.
The letter, signed by Babatunde Agunbiade, cautioned security agencies against excessive use of force and deployment of lethal weapons on unarmed and peaceful protesters.
It stated that any violence, brutality, arrest, enforced disappearances, as well as attempt to criminalise or militarise peaceful protest actions, will be resisted with all incidents documented and reported to legal bodies.
The coalition, therefore, urged peaceful protesters to remain non-violent and law-abiding and report any act of repression or brutality.
It stressed that legal aid teams and human rights defenders are being mobilised to provide assistance and ensure that justice is pursued.
It also reminded the Federal Government and all security agencies that history would not forget the misuse of state power to suppress the legitimate voices of the people.
The coalition, which emphasised the historical significance of June 12 as a symbol of democratic resistance and called for accountability and restraint from security operatives, demanded clear instructions by the Inspector General of Police and other security heads to prevent the use of deadly force.
