Lagos Police Command says it’ll Resist any Planned Protest in the State

In relation to the October #EndSARS and #EndPoliceBrutality protests, the Lagos State Police Command has put out a statement, vowing to “resist any form of planned protests, procession or gathering under any guise or nomenclature in Lagos”, to enable the government and residents of the State “recover from the devastating havoc and violence unleashed by suspected hoodlums.”

The command also implored parents and guardians to “discourage their children or wards from embarking or joining any protest in the State”, and encouraged the general public to “ignore any call for protest and go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to maintain law, order and public safety across the length and breadth of the State.”

According to the Lagos State government,

The Lagos State Police Command has vowed to resist any form of planned protest, procession or gathering under any guise or nomenclature in Lagos as the government and residents of the State recover from the devastating havoc and violence unleashed by suspected hoodlums.

A release issued on Thursday by the Police Command, informed the general public that based on intelligence from relevant security agencies, some unpatriotic elements and groups of people have concluded plans to orchestrate another set of destruction on the State.

“Premised on this, the Command, therefore, wishes to warn private individuals, groups of students and others who might be contemplating any form of protest or gathering whatsoever, to desist”.

“The Police and other security agencies will collectively and tactically resist any security threat or threats to public peace, which might be triggered by another protest in Lagos State”, the statement said.

The Police Command, therefore, implored parents and guardians to discourage their children or wards from embarking or joining any protest in the State due to the possibility of another hijack by armed hoodlums to wreak havoc in Lagos.

We encourage the general public to ignore any call for protest and go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to maintain law, order and public safety across the length and breadth of the State”, it added.

Nigerians have wasted no time in making their thoughts known, “why would the state police publicly admit that it can’t keep order unless we can ask “children” not to protest? It’s disgraceful. You job is to protect free expression of ideas & opinion. Not to stifle it.” a twitter user asked.

Here’s how Nigerians are reacting to the news:

Why would the state police publicly admit that it can't keep order unless we can ask "children" not to protest? It's disgraceful. You job is to protect free expression of ideas & opinion. Not to stifle it.

— Kọ́lá Túbọ̀sún (@kolatubosun) November 5, 2020

So basically you are denying the Lagos state residents and Nigerian citizens their basic right for protest? What stops you from protecting them while they protest? Did you read your tweets at all? Does it make sense to yoy to resist? Or to protect? This is an own goal!

— Human (@SparksO26) November 5, 2020

THANKS FOR THE THREATS. ONE QUESTION

WHO ORDERED THE SHOOTING OF PEACEFUL PROTESTERS AT LEKKI SHRINE (toll gate) on 20/10/2020

SoroSoke ?#LekkiTollGateShooting#endsars continues pic.twitter.com/YT0Gm3QmLk

— SoroSoke? (@SeyiOjeleye) November 5, 2020

Even when the military is in power , people protest, it their constitutional right to have a peaceful protest.

— Anny 2 (@Iyado0806) November 5, 2020

This is the same people that rode on protest to gain power. They were part of the people that championed ocuppy Nigeria..

— JUMI Josh-Falade (@FaladeJumi) November 6, 2020

You can not resist the protest, unless you're planning to massacre the protesters again, but trust me, when we're ready for protest, we will protest. Look out for the anti protesters with weapons coming to attack peaceful protesters. That's your job and not to resist a protest.

— Youth Champion (@Youth_Cham) November 5, 2020

There is an on going fight between mile 12 and Owode almost every day and not a single day did the police to intervene but the moment y’all hear peaceful protest you get hard on.

— Olabanji Oye (@king_yemix) November 5, 2020

One would think it's the constitutional right of all or any citizen to protest. And also the duty of the Police to protect the lawful protesters?

This your tweet looks like a threat to me and this shouldn't be. Te state is not a banana republic hence the Law should be followed.

— PANDO (@Pando_007) November 6, 2020