#EndSARS: Security Operatives Parade Lagos To Ward Off Protests

The Lagos State Government has intensified efforts to repel an anticipated resuscitation of the #EndSARS protests in the state.

Eko Hot Blog gathered that soldiers and police officers have been deployed to the suspected nerve centres of the protests, the Lekki Toll Gate as well as Opebi, Alausa areas in the state capital, Ikeja.

The mass deployment of security operatives around suspected take off points of the protests is suspected to be a show of force by the government to deter any form of #EndSARS gatherings in the state.

It was also gathered that there are some other areas, according to yet-to-be-confirmed reports.

“The state police command did the deployments based on the intelligence it received. The police also got the army at the Bonny Camp to send some reinforcements,” a source said.

On Sunday, the Lagos State Police Command had said it would crack-down against any #EndSARS gatherings in the state.

READ ALSO: #EndSARS: Police Vow To Quash Any Protests In Lagos

The peaceful protesters were expected to reconvene in Lagos on Monday, December 7, 2020, at designated locations across the metropolis, to continue their clamours against bad governance in Nigeria.

In a statement on Sunday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, had categorically stated that the state command would not entertain any form of #EndSARS protests in the state since Lagos is yet to recover from the ravaging effects of the last demonstrations.

“The Lagos State Police Command has again warned against any gathering, procession or protest in Lagos State as some unpatriotic individuals and groups are planning to embark on the replica of the recent destructive and violent #EndSARS protest that left pains and agonies in Lagos State.

“The command has reliably gathered intelligence that specific individuals and groups have concluded plans to lure unsuspecting Lagosians, especially youths, into their planned protest which is proposed to commence tomorrow, Monday, December 7, 2020, at designated locations in the state.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to re-echo and remind the general public that the Government of Lagos State, businesses, individuals and security families still groan in losses and pains that the last violent #EndSARS protest occasioned. The state is still nurturing the injuries orchestrated by some violent #EndSARS protesters and not fit to accommodate such protest for now.

“In the light of the above, the Lagos State Police Command, therefore, warns those who might want to disguise under #EndSARS protest to cause another set of mayhem, brouhaha and violence in the state, to desist from such plans as the police and other security agencies will not fold their arms, seeing individuals or groups orchestrating another violence and anarchy in the state.

“The command also warns parents and guardians to warn and discourage their children and wards from being lured into any act, gathering or protest capable of causing violence in the state. The command wishes to reiterate that any unlawful gathering, procession or protest will be suppressed professionally in accordance with the provisions of the law.

“The police command encourages residents and those who are in Lagos for their genuine engagements to go about their lawful businesses as all hands are on deck to maintain law and order within the length and breadth of Lagos State.”

Recall that the #EndSARS protests which took place simultaneously across major cities in Nigeria came to a screeching halt after the tragic shooting of peaceful protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate by soldiers of the Nigerian Army, which caused feisty reactions as hoodlums hijacked the protests and perpetrated massive looting of government and private enterprises.