Lagos State Police Commissioner, Olanrewaju Ishola, has declared the #EndSARS memorial protest illegal, stating that it will not be allowed to take place.
According to reports, demonstrators had gathered at the Lekki toll gate on Sunday to mark the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests and honor those killed during the Lekki toll gate shooting in October 2020. In an interview with Channels Television, Ishola explained that the protesters failed to obtain clearance or permission before organizing the demonstration.
While acknowledging citizens’ constitutional rights, the Commissioner emphasized that those rights must be exercised within the framework of the law.
According to Ishola, police operatives have manned strategic parts of the state to avoid any planned breakdown of law and order.
He said, “Constitutionally, they should write to me as the Commissioner of Police of their intention to do so, they did write to us and as such, any of such gathering is illegal and by extension, no police will not allow it to happen.
“What we had was gotten on social media. There are some people who want to celebrate the fourth anniversary of EndSARS.
“We’ve been here since 12 a.m. overnight and all over Lagos, we have taken over the traditional points where protesters can gather. We are not averse to anybody exercising their fundamental rights, but the law of the land must be emplaced. So that’s the very essence of why we are here today.
“So far so good, it’s been total non-acceptance of any disruption here and throughout the state in general. Earlier in the day, I went around all parts of Lagos like I said, all the traditional points, Gana Park, Freedom Park, Ikeja Underbridge, Alausa Mall, places of government infrastructure that they may want to unleash me.
“We have all the place covered, and we have Lagos undercover, security-wise. I promise Lagos they are going to experience better policing and they have reasons to be Lagosians. It is a state that works, nobody can disrupt the activities of the government here.”