The Lagos state police command has urged people against organizing any protests to mark the one-year anniversary of the state's #EndSARS protest.
Thousands of Nigerian youths took to the streets to protest police violence last October. The protest took a violent turn after it was hijacked by thugs.
According to a statement released by its spokesperson, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, the state police command claims credible evidence at its disposal suggests that some youths, persons, or organizations were intending to protest on the one-year anniversary of ENDSARS.
The command claims that Lagosians, and indeed Nigerians, cannot afford to repeat the unpalatable experience of last year's protest, which resulted in "pain, misery, unnecessary loss of life, and wanton destruction of public and private property," according to the command. Individuals or groups who may want to hold an anniversary protest should drop the notion now or face the full force of the law.
'' In view of the volatility of the present situations in the country, and the breakdown of law and order which the planned protest might cause, the Lagos State Police Command sternly warns against any form of protest today.
The Command would like to use this medium to advise any youths, groups, or organizations organizing a protest to abandon their plans immediately. The state's police will not fold their arms and allow certain misguided people to undermine the state's current calm and tranquility.
To avoid a breakdown in law and order, the police will employ all legal methods available to them under the law to put down the planned protest.
As a result, parents and guardians should caution their children against taking part in the scheduled protest. Individuals or groups financing such protests are also cautioned that if they continue with their unpatriotic scheme, they will face the full force of the law."
According to Ajisebutu, the Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, guarantees all law-abiding inhabitants of the state that they will not be harassed or intimidated while conducting their legitimate business. Additional security measures have been put in place to guarantee their lives and property are protected today and in the future.