Lagos State Police warn youths against organising new #EndSARS protest

By Emmanuel Awosika

The Lagos State Police Command has said it will resist any form of protest or unauthorized gatherings in the state.

The announcement comes after reports of a “second wave” of #EndSARS protests gained momentum on social media this past week.

Organisers of the protests are calling for the immediate unfreezing of accounts frozen by the Central Bank over #EndSARS-related transactions and the release of detained protesters.

But the Lagos State Police Command has banned all protests in the state, saying the state was still feeling the effects of the previous #EndSARS protest which was marred by violence.

Spokesperson for the Command, Muyiwa Adejobi, said on Sunday: “The Command has reliably gathered intelligence that certain individuals/groups have concluded plans to lure unsuspecting Lagosians, especially youths, into their planned protest which is proposed to commence tomorrow Monday, December 7, at designated locations in the state.

“The Lagos State Police command wishes to re-echo and remind the public that the Government of Lagos State, businesses, individuals and security families still groan in losses and pains that the last violent Endsars protest occasioned.

“Lagos State is still nurturing the wounds orchestrated by some violent Endsars protesters and not fit to accommodate such protest for now.

“In the light of the above, the Lagos State Police Command therefore warns those who might want to disguise under Endsars protest to cause another set of mayhem, brouhaha and violence in the state, to desist from such plans as the police and other security agencies will not fold their arms seeing individuals or groups orchestrating another violence and anarchy in the state.

“The command also warns parents and guardians to warn and discourage their children and wards from being lured into any act, gathering or protest capable of causing violence in the state.

“The command wishes to reiterate that any unlawful gathering, procession or protest will be suppressed professionally in accordance with the provisions of the law.

“The police command encourages Lagosians and those who are in Lagos for their genuine engagements, to go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to maintain law and order within the length and breadth of Lagos State.”