Police ban #EndSARS protest in Lagos

Etim Ekpimah

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu has banned #EndSARS protests or gathering or procession in Lagos State.

The CP who stated this in compliance with Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu imposing 24 hours curfew in the state, noted that the #EndSARS protests have degenerated into violence.

According to Odumosu, the command regrets to confirm the setting ablaze of Orile Iganmu Police State around 10am on Tuesday, where some, adding that some policemen were critically injured, and unconfirmed reports stated that one of them is dead.

This was contained in a statement signed and made available to journalists by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi on Tuesday.

“Due to the new development of violent attacks on police officers and men and formations including innocent Nigerians in Lagos  State, and the  24 hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government with effect from 4pm of today 20th October, 2020, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that henceforth no protest or gathering or procession, under whatever guise, is permitted within Lagos State.

“In the light of the above, all security agencies have deployed adequate personnel to take charge and enforce the curfew across the state.

“In the same vein, the command regrets to confirm the setting ablaze of  Orile Iganmu Police State today at about 10am, where some of our policemen were  critically injured and unconfirmed reports state that one of them is dead,” the statement added.

According to him, it was crystal clear that the #EndSARS protest has been hijacked by hoodlums, who want to run down the state: the police command will resist such state of anarchy, unrest and brouhaha with all powers within the ambit of the law.

He said, “While the command is resolute in sustenance of human rights and democratic tenets, the general public is hereby warned to comply with the curfew and desist from any act of violence in the state as the command will resist such in totality.”