#EndSARS: Lagos, Osun Police Command warn against planned protest
By Alao Matthew
The Lagos and Osun state Police command on Monday warned against #EndSARS first year anniversary planned protest.
A separate statement signed by the Lagos State Police Command’s Spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, on behalf of Commissioner of police in, CP Hakeem Odumosu and Spokesperson, Osun state command, Yemisi Opalola, stated that they had received information of a planned protest to mark one year of the #EndSARS protest.
Odumosu warned that the police would not hesitate to use all legal means to stop the protest from taking place considering the experience of last #EndSARS protest.
He said “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.
He proceeded that “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 want on 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,” he said.
Ajisebutu also instigate that parents and guardians should advise their children against participating in the planned protest.
In his speech, he said individuals or groups sponsoring such a protest should also be 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.
Opalola on Monday, in a statement said, the Command will not tolerate any unlawful gathering that could jeopardise the peace enjoyed in the state.
The statement reads: “The intelligence that availed the police command revealed underground/nocturnal plans by some youths/group of people to embark on protest in commemoration of one year anniversary of #EndSars saga.
“In view of this, the Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, warned individual or group of individuals that are planning such in the state and their sponsor(s) to stop the plan or any of such action (s) forthwith as the Command will not allow a repeat of last year’s #EndSars saga and is fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such intending protest.
“Consequently, the State Police Command will not tolerate any unlawful protest/gathering or assembly that will jeopardize the peace of the state as the last year #EndSars saga protest’ still lingers in the minds of Nigerians especially the Police and other security agencies which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.
“Therefore, the Commissioner of Police has given a marching order to the Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical units to be at alert and nip in the bud any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.
“The CP advised parents and guardians to warn their wards to be law-abiding, and desist from such planned protest/gathering/ assembly as the State Police Command will arrest and prosecute defaulters.
“The CP advised the good people of the state to go about their lawful daily activities while the Command has taken necessary security measures to forestall any likely breakdown of law and order.”
