Toba Owojaiye Reporting
In a new development, the Lagos State Police Command has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian populace in anticipation of the upcoming third anniversary of the #EndSARS movement, set for Friday, October 20. The Police authority has made it unequivocally clear that they will not tolerate any form of assembly or gathering at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos.
This announcement comes as various civil society organizations gear up for a peaceful march to commemorate the three-year mark since the significant events of October 20, 2020, during the #EndSARS protests that unfolded in Lekki, Lagos.
Benjamin Hundeyin, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Lagos State Command, emphasized that no gatherings or congregations of any nature will be allowed within the proximity of the tollgate. He conveyed this message via his official Twitter handle, affirming that law enforcement will be out in full force to guarantee the safety of all participants in the peaceful procession, provided they refrain from obstructing traffic.
In his words, “Buses at/by Oriental Hotel suggests stopping/waiting of buses and gathering of passengers. For the avoidance of doubt, no gathering/convergence whatsoever would be allowed anywhere around the toll gate. However, men of #LagosPoliceNG would be fully on the ground to ensure security for all persons participating in the peaceful walk as long as they are not obstructing traffic.”
It’s imperative to recall that the #EndSARS demonstrations initially emerged as a nationwide outcry against police brutality, extrajudicial killings, extortion, and abuse of authority, particularly by the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). These peaceful protests eventually compelled the federal government of Nigeria to dissolve SARS, although they were not without their share of tragic incidents, leading to the loss of many young Nigerian lives in the process.