#EndSARS Memorial: Lagos CP Reveals Why he Ordered Teargas on Protesters

• #EndSARS Memorial: Why I ordered policemen to tear gas protesters – Police Commissioner
• The protest was between 8 am and 10 am, anything, after 10 am, is a nuisance, he said.

Ekohotblog reports that the Lagos State Police Commissioner, Hakeem Odumosu, has said that he ordered his troops to tear gas #EndSARSMemorial protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate on Wednesday.

Odumosu told reporters that the police used tear gas on the protestors to prevent a breakdown in law and order.

The police commissioner stated that he instructed his officers to tear gas the protesters since they violated the prior guarantee that the parade would begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 10 a.m.

Odumosu went on to say that any demonstration that lasts longer than the agreed-upon period is a nuisance and would not be allowed.

Read Also: #EndSARSMemorial: Police Fire Tear Gas At Lekki Toll Gate Protesters

The Commissioner said: “The protest was between 8 am and 10 am, anything, after 10 am, is a nuisance.

“I discussed with them and they said they will end the protest by 10 o’clock. Other people doing it now just causing a nuisance. some with machete, hammer, are they protesters or miscreants?

“The protesters are free; they have done their thing and left. Any other persons remaining are the miscreants, hoodlums that want to capitalise on that to attack innocent people and start robbing people. We will not allow that.”

Ekohotblog recalls that the EndSARS protests in October 2020 were staged in opposition to the actions of the now-defunct Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a section of the Nigeria Police Force accused of cruelty.

Read Also: #EndSARS Memorial: Nothing Has Been Done To Resolve Issues Raised – Saraki

The peaceful protest, however, was disrupted on Wednesday by police officers who fired tear gas at the youths.

Protesters scurried for cover as they yelled, “End SARS!”