From Segun Amure, (The New Diplomat Abuja, Bureau)
The Federal Government on Thursday asked Nigerians to disassociate themselves from the planned protest at the Lekki Toll Plaza slated for Friday, 13 February, 2021.
The fresh protest dubbed: ‘OccupyLekki’ was in reaction to an order by the Lagos Judicial Panel, directing that the Lekki Plaza be reopened.
Minister of Information and Culture, Alh. Lai Mohammed at a press conference in Abuja stated that the government has alerted security agencies to ensure that the protest did not hold to avert loss of properties and lives that accompanied the first.
In his statement, Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed submitted, “However, any further resort to violence in the name of #EndSARS will not be tolerated this time.
He added further that, “the security agents are ready for any eventuality. A situation in which six soldiers and 37 policemen were murdered in cold blood by hoodlums will not repeat itself.”
”The attack, looting and razing of 269 private and public property will not happen again. The killing of 57 civilians will not be re-enacted.”
”No government anywhere will allow a repeat of the kind of destruction, killing and maiming wrought by the hijackers of #EndSARS protests last year.”
”After all, only one policeman – (plus four others) – was killed in the invasion of the US Capitol in January, yet the FBI has continued to hunt down and prosecute the perpetrators. No life is more important than the other.”
Lai Mohammed added, “We therefore strongly warn those who are planning to re-occupy Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday to desist.
“We know that many of those who have been loudest on social media in advertising the plan to reconvene in Lagos on Saturday are not even in Nigeria.
“They are elsewhere around the world fanning the embers of violence and inciting gullible people back home. No one should fall for their antics.”
Recall that the Lagos State Judicial panel of enquiry led by Mrs. Doris Okuwobi had on Saturday ruled that Lekki Toll Plaza be opened after the shooting incident of October, 20, 2020.
Okuwobi said, “Upon all said, I thereby give an order for LCC to repossess the tollgate which has been under the control of the panel upon indication given that the forensic analysis of the said toll plaza are to be concluded. The order made for repossession is for evaluation of the plaza by LCC insurers, renovation and total control.”
