Ahead of the planned October 1 protests today, the National Human Rights Commission has urged the government to provide necessary support and protection for the demonstrators, particularly from counter-protesters and mobs.

Executive Secretary of the Commission, Tony Ojukwu, who made this call in a statement yesterday in Abuja, also appealed to the protesters to act within the boundaries of the law, and further advised security operatives to refrain from the use of firearms and teargas during the demonstrations.

A former presidential candidate and activist who is one of the leaders of the planned Oct 1 protest, Omoyele Sowore, insisted they would proceed with the ‘showdown’, saying it would be held across the country.