By Gbenga Abulude (Politics and General Desk)
The Nigeria Police force has said it will resist any planned protests or any form of gathering in the guise of a protest in Lagos State.
It warned individuals or any group who plan to stage any form of protest to desist from such motive.
In furtherance to this, the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Mr Hakeem Odumosu has alerted his men and ordered Area Commanders to fortify stations under their control.
In a statement signed by the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Muyiwa Adejobi, it said there was intelligence report that a group of had concluded plans to stage another protest which they ‘analysed as dangerous and counterproductive’.
The statement reads: “The Lagos State Police Command has vowed to resist any form of planned protest, procession or gathering under any guise or nomenclature in Lagos State as the government and people of Lagos still nurture the wounds of the recent Endsars violence that wrecked havocs across the state.
“The command wishes to inform the general public that based on intelligence gathering from relevant intelligence agencies, some unpatrioric elements or group of people have concluded plans to orchestrate another set of violence in the state in furtherance to the recent Endsars violence, which has been analysed as dangerous and counterproductive.
“Premised on this, the command, therefore, wishes to warn any individuals, group of students or any groups who might want to stage any form of protest, either “peaceful” or violent, or gathering whatsoever, to desist as the police and other security agencies will
collectively and tactically resist any security threats or threats to public peace which might be triggered by protest or protesters in Lagos State.
“The Police command, emphatically, warns parents and guardians to discourage their children or wards from embarking on any protest in the state as the possibility of hijacking it by armed hoodlums to cause grieve and pains like the recent past is evident.
“We encourage the general public to ignore any call for protest and go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to maintain law and order and public safety across the length and breath of the state”.
Recall that the #EndSARS protests against Police brutality and extra-judicial killings was hijacked by hoodlums who unleased mayhem in different parts of the state with people and policemen
being killed, public properties vandalised and a number of police stations burnt down.
However, the action by the police has raised concerns over citizen’s constitutionally guaranteed rights to freedom of association and protest.
