Emmanuel Onani 
The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has warned protesters against continuing with their nationwide demonstrations, saying incidents of looting and destruction of business concerns will no longer be tolerated.
While acknowledging the right to peaceful assembly/protest, the police chief said the Constitution also imposes duties and responsibilities on the citizens, which must be discharged alongside.
In a broadcast yesterday, Egbetokun noted, among others, that: ” Like what we had today, we had incidents of looting, and destruction of businesses. We are not going to tolerate that any more.
“We had incidents where there were unprovoked attacks on policemen and other security agents. We are not going to accept that. “So, I advise that they should not just bother to continue with this.
“When we talk about rights to protests, we are not denying the right “We have said severally that we recognise the right of citizens to protest. “But this right is not absolute right.
The same Constitution that gave them right to protest, also impose duties on them. “What our lawyers have been telling our youths, is that its their right, its their right.
Nobody is talking to the youths about their duties and responsibilities to the State. “And, that is the problem. These people should be educated to know that there are duties and responsibilities expected if them to the state.”
He added: “They only want to enjoy the rights, and neglecting the duties. “Those people, who are claiming rights of protests, should know that they have a duty to the nation, to respect the rights of other citizens.
“To obey the law of the land, there is also a duty to be loyal to the State. “To be patriotic is a constitutional responsibility of Nigerians. “Nobody is talking about all those duties and responsibilities.”
