The Lagos State Police Command has warned protesters against blocking of roads state, saying although citizens have the right to carry out peaceful protests, they do not have the right to block roads and make other road users uncomfortable.
While briefing newsmen after the Security Council meeting chaired by the Governor Babatunde Fashola, at the Lagos House, Marina, the state’s Commissioner of Police Abubakar Umar Manko, added that Police would commence strict enforcement of the law against illegal use of siren in the state.
Emphasising that the issue about protesters’ road blocking received serious consideration at the meeting, Manko said the council found it obnoxious for people staging a protest march ― perhaps agitating for one right or the other ― to block roads thereby denying others the right to use the roads.
“The issue of blocking roads by protesters was considered very seriously at the council meeting and we agreed that while people have the right to demonstrate, provided it is peaceful, they do not have the right to block roads and make other road users uncomfortable,” Manko said.
He said it was resolved at the meeting that while people are allowed to go on peaceful demonstrations, they should not block roads because that does not count as being peaceful. He added that state’s security agencies would no longer tolerate such action.
On the issue of the illegal use of sirens, Manko who reiterated that it is against the laws of Lagos State, warning that henceforth, the law would be enforced to the letter on any person breaking the rule in any part of the state.
“Council has resolved that people not entitled to use siren should not use them because if they do, the law will be applied as it is,” Manko said. “The categories of people that are not entitled should not use it because it is against the laws of Lagos State, the Traffic laws of Lagos State.”
Accompanying the commissioner at the briefing were other members of the council including Commander, Airforce Base, Ikeja, Air Commodore Najeem Sanusi, Commander NNS Beecroft, Olokun, Apapa, Navy Commodore Ovenseri Emmanuel Uwadiae, Commander 9 Mechanized Brigade, Brigadier Sadiq Maikobi, Assistant Director, State Security Service, Mr. Yinka Salami and Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Major Tunde Panox (rtd).
