Lagos police promise to protect protesters
Police
Lagos police promise to protect protesters
Abdullateef Fowewe
The Lagos State Police Command has assured citizens of their right to peaceful protest and urged against violence or any form of misconduct.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, stressed the force’s commitment to maintaining peace and order during the upcoming demonstrations.
He said, “Everyone is entitled to freedom of association, movement, and expression, and people are free to come out and protest, and we will be there to provide security to make sure everything goes smoothly.”
Hundayin highlighted the deployment of significant human and operational resources to ensure that peaceful protesters are protected and that law and order are upheld.
However, the Lagos Police Spokesperson issued a clear warning to potential troublemakers who may attempt to hijack the protests for their own nefarious purposes. Hundeyin stressed that the police will not tolerate any acts of violence, vandalism, or disruption of public order.
He noted, “Anyone who intends to be violent or to destroy other people’s property will meet us in the field. We have already deployed the necessary resources to ensure peace and prevent any breakdown of law and order. People are free to protest within the law peacefully, but lawbreakers will be apprehended and made to face the law.”
Regarding concerns about the organisers of the protests; he mentioned that protests are usually unplanned and lack clear leadership, some people had shared detailed plans for a protest on a particular day, with specific routes. Even though they were asked to meet and discuss security measures, the individuals did not attend the meeting.
“We might choose to call them faceless, but we will still be out there to provide security to peaceful protesters and arrest violent ones. No security officer will be violent; rather, we will react appropriately to any threats,” he said.
Referencing the 2020 EndSARS protests, Hundayin pointed out the severe consequences of violent demonstrations, including looted warehouses and significant property damage from which many have yet to recover.
“We will use tear gas, which doesn’t kill but causes discomfort in the eyes, and if the violence escalates, we will step up our response.
“The police will be there to protect and arrest lawbreakers,” he added.
Dailyeconomy on Saturday, July 27, 2024, reported that the Lagos State Police Command apprehended two individuals for vandalising the railway perimeter iron fence at Oshodi-Agege Motor Road.
