The Lagos State Government and the state Police Command on Thursday warned against the planned protest tagged #OccupyLagosLekkiTollGate.
The state government and police authorities gave the warning at a joint press conference by the Commissioner for Justice/Attorney General of Lagos, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, and the Commissioner of Police, Mr Hakeem Odumosu.
The Commissioner of Police warned the planners of the protests to shelve the event that is scheduled to hold at the Lekki Toll Plaza by 7 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13.
“The police command has gathered credible intelligence that some hidden agents of destruction and shadow parties that orchestrated the last EndSARS violence have concluded plans to cause another mayhem in Lagos and spread the same to other parts of the country, tactically and spontaneously, like the recent violence,” he said.
“Premised on the available intelligence and due threat analyses carried out on the planned protest, the Police Command perceives such proposed protest as a calculated attempt to cause pandemonium and massive destruction of lives and property under whatever guise; such will not be allowed to hold in Lagos.”
According to him, intelligence available to the police command showed that the “OccupyLekkiTollGate” protest and planned counter rallies would degenerate into a breakdown of law and order.
He said the police would not allow any group to carry out the action, noting that adequate arrangements on the deployment of security forces had been put in place to stop any violent protest, gathering and procession in any part of Lagos.
The Police boss said the State command would rise in protection of law-abiding residents from any form of the violence.
The decision of the command in this regard is in the interest of all and sundry in Lagos and to ensure that the statutory responsibilities of the Nigeria Police Force are not compromised, he said.
“I, therefore, appeal to the general public, particularly parents and guardians, to discourage and warn their children and wards to ignore any unreasonable call or mobilisation for protest or gathering which runs against the existing peace and security situation of the state,” he said.
On his part, Onigbanjo said that the government acknowledged the rights of the citizens to a lawful assembly and freedom to express their feelings as guaranteed by Section 39 and 40 of the Constitution. He noted however, that the rights did not give any citizen the freedom to block highways and prevent other citizens from moving freely within the state.
He said that the government would not allow any group to push the state, once again, to the edge of carnage, hence, those organising the “OccupyLekkiToll Gate” and “Defend Lagos” protests should desist from the planned action.
According to him, the state government’s respect for the citizens’ rights to protest should not be seen as a licence to break the laws. He warned that any individual or corporate organisation that incited an action leading to the destruction of public and private property would be prosecuted and be made to pay damages. The Attorney General also said that the public health crisis occasioned by the spread of deadly variants of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) should discourage anyone attempting to assemble people for the planned protests. He urged all groups to consider COVID-19 protocols that limit public gathering not to be more than 50 persons.
Onigbanjo, therefore, directed the state’s Police Command to stop opposing groups from holding rallies in Lekki and any other parts of Lagos.
On his part, Omotosho said that the position of the state government on the planned protests were not to take away the fundamental rights of the citizens, but was aimed at preventing a re-enactment of the events that led to destruction of public and private assets in October 2020.
He called for peace, and asked the organisers of the planned protests and rallies to allow the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry conclude its investigation on what transpired between the military and EndSARS protesters.
“We believe this kind of tension and anxiety being brought forward by the planned protest will not allow the panel to do a thorough job.
“If the authorities allow the protest and counter rallies to go on, there would be a breakdown of order and Lagos is not ripe for such action.
“It is on this premise that the state government is appealing to all parties to thread with caution. Both sides have the right to express their feelings, but
