Police in Lagos and Osun have warned anyone planning to commemorate the EndSARS anniversary with protests to shelve the idea.
Lagos State Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu advised youths against any protest in honour of last year’s protests.
Millions of young Nigerians between October 8 and 20 last year staged protests across major cities in the country demanding an end to defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) citing its excesses.
The protests which also sought an end to police brutality, corruption, bad governance, among others, turned violent and led to killings and destruction of properties with its climax being the Lekki tollgate shootings of October 20.
It was claimed that hoodlums hijacked it.
To mark the events and also register their displeasure about continued police brutality and extortion, young persons across social media platforms have since last week talked about anniversary protests in Lagos, Delta and some other states of the country.
But Odumosu on Monday warned against any such protests, saying the command would use all lawful means to prevent “misguided elements” from disrupting the peace and serenity being enjoyed in the state.
Police spokesman Adekunle Ajisebutu said the command had credible intelligence on clandestine plans by some youths, individuals or groups to embark on protests in commemoration of the one year anniversary of EndSARS.
He said: “Lagosians and indeed Nigerians cannot afford to relive the distasteful experience of last year’s protest which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.
“In view of the volatility of the present situation 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 police will use all legitimate means within their constitutional powers to suppress the planned protest.”
Also, police in Osun called on some youths and groups of people to desist from a planned protest in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of ENDSARS in the state.
Spokesperson Yemisi Opalola said yesterday that police would use every legitimate means to avert such protest, adding that Commissioner of Police Olawale Olokode directed Area commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Tactical units to be at alert and avert any act capable of truncating the peace of the state.
“The Command will not allow a repeat of last year’s EndSARS saga, and is fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such protest. Consequently, the Police Command will not tolerate any unlawful protest/gathering or assembly that will jeopardise the peace of the state.”
