#EndSARS: Police will not allow any planned protest in Lagos, Commissioner warns

The Lagos State Police Command has warned the organisers of the planned protest to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protest to desist from such a plan.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner of Police in Lagos, CP Hakeem Odumosu, via a statement issued and signed by the State Police Command’s Spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu on Monday.

The Police boss stated that Nigerians can not afford to relive the unfortunate experience of the protest which led to “needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.”

The Lagos Police Commissioner stated, “The command had received information of a planned protest to mark one year of the #EndSARS protest.

“The police would not hesitate to use all legal means to stop the protest from taking place following the experience of the last #EndSARS protest.

“Credible intelligence at the disposal of the command has revealed clandestine plans by some youths, individuals or groups to embark on a protest today in commemoration of the one year anniversary of #EndSARS.

“Lagosians and indeed Nigerians cannot afford to relive the distasteful experience of last year’s protest which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.

“In view of the volatility of the present situations in the country and the breakdown of law and order which the planned protest might cause, the Lagos State Police Command sternly warns against any form of protest today.

“The command wishes to use this medium to warn the youth, groups or associations planning such protest to jettison the idea forthwith.

“The police in the state will not fold their arms and allow some misguided elements disrupt the peace and serenity currently being enjoyed in the state.

“To forestall breakdown of law and order, the police will use all legitimate means within their constitutional powers to suppress the planned protest.”

Ajisebutu tasked the parents and guardians to advise their children against participating in the planned protest.

According to him, individuals or groups sponsoring such a protest were also warned to desist from such unpatriotic plan or face the full wrath of the law.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, assures all law-abiding residents of the state to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of harassment or intimidation.

“Adequate and additional security measures have been put in place to ensure protection of their lives and property today and even beyond,” he added.

It would be recalled that in October 2020, young Nigerians took to the streets of many cities in the country to protests against police brutality, extra-judicial killings and other human rights abuses across the nation in a movement tagged #EndSARS.

The protest was however allegedly hijacked by hoodlums who took advantage of the protest leading to widespread violence with loss of lives and looting and destruction of public and private infrastructure across the country.

The protest however gained international coverage after the reported shooting of some youths on October 20th, by officers of the Nigerian Army at the Lekki Toll Gate where they had assembled for the protest for some days.