Etim Ekpimah
Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have taken over Lekki Tollgate to forestall an alleged planned rally by supporters of the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi on Saturday, October 1, 2022.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, noted that the police would not tolerate any form of the rally at the Lekki Tollgate.
The statement read in part: “This emphasis has become necessary to enlighten Nigerians that might be misled into converging on the toll gate. A court of competent jurisdiction has ruled that no person is allowed to converge on the Lekki Toll gate for whatever reason.
“In conformity with its mandate to protect life and property, the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of CP Abiodun Alabi, fdc will leave no stone unturned in ensuring total compliance with the court order and an emplacement of adequate security in the state.
“While the Command is not averse to the peoples’ right to freedom of assembly and association; and expression, the Command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons, especially under the guise of rally or procession.
“The warning, therefore, goes that anyone found flouting the court order or infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”
Meanwhile, Alabi urges all peace-loving persons to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been strategically deployed to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians at designated rally venues and across the state at large.