The Nigeria Police Force has refuted recent claims that the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, mandated a strict 4pm curfew for all protests across the nation.

The denial comes amid growing concerns and widespread speculations on social media platforms regarding the imposition of the curfew.

Some Nigerians are mobilising for a nationwide protest against economic policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The protest is slated for August 1 to August 10.

In a statement released, the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated that no such directive on curfew had been issued by the IGP.

He explained that the Police remain committed to upholding citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly and protest, as enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution.

Adejobi said such information would have been communicated via the official Nigeria Police Force platforms were it true.

The statement read, “Following the recent misinformation regarding the imposition of a curfew ahead of the planned nationwide protest, It has come to our attention that some news outlets, have reported that the Inspector General of Police has imposed a strict curfew starting at 4 p.m. for all protests. This information is entirely false and mischievous.

“The NPF hereby categorically states that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has not declared any curfew. Additionally, it is pertinent to state that such information would have been communicated via the official Nigeria Police Force platforms were it true.

“The false publication suggesting otherwise is a product of the authors’ imaginations and does not represent the position of the Nigerian police.

“We urge all media outlets and the general public to disregard this misinformation and rely on official statements from the Nigeria Police Force or other authorised government agencies,” he said.