The Lagos State Police Command has said it will not tolerate any form of gathering at the tollgate in the Lekki area of the state.
The command made this known as several Civil Society Organisations (CEOs) prepare for a peaceful march today to commemorate the third anniversary of the events that transpired on October 20, 2020, during the #EndSARS protests in Lekki, Lagos.
In a statement on Thursday via his X handle, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, said no gathering or convergence of any kind would be permitted in the vicinity of the tollgate.
Hundeyin further assured that the police would be present in full force to ensure the safety of all participants in the peaceful procession, provided they do not disrupt traffic.
He wrote, “Buses at/by Oriental Hotel suggests stopping/waiting of buses and gathering of passengers. For the avoidance of doubt, no gathering/convergence whatsoever would be allowed anywhere around the toll gate.
“However, men of #LagosPoliceNG would be fully on ground to ensure security for all persons participating in the peaceful walk as long as they are not obstructing traffic.”
Recall that the #EndSARS protests were a public outcry against police brutality, extrajudicial killings, extortion, and abuse of power, particularly by the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad. The peaceful protests led to the Federal Government of Nigeria dissolving SARS.
Regrettably, the demonstrations took a violent turn as opportunistic individuals engaged in acts of arson against police stations, and public infrastructure and perpetrated attacks on both law enforcement personnel and civilians.
On October 20, 2020, brave youths converged on the Lekki Tollgate, Lagos, to protest against police brutality, bad governance and poverty. The protests were believed to have been met with violence.