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Open Letter To CP Odumosu: What Will You Do If We Defy Your Warnings?

Published

4 years ago

Feb 12, 2021.

Open Letter To CP Odumosu: What Will You Do If We Defy Your Warnings?

The Lagos State Police Command has been warned against using any form of violence against protesters who might converge to march on the Lekki Tollgate on Saturday February 13, 2021.

In an open letter addressed to the State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Hakeem Odumosu, the addressee who identified as “a good citizen of Nigeria who wants peace”, recalled the 2020 protest where some police officers reportedly opened fire on unarmed protesters.

“Now that you have vowed against any form of protest in Lagos State what will you do if the youths disobey your warnings and come out in large numbers on Saturday ? Will the police shoot at them? Will the police throw tear gas at them? Will the police hit them with batons? Will the police arrest them like criminals?” the letter enquired.

According to the letter, the protesters are angry about the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry’s decision to grant the Lekki Concession Company permission to reopen the Lekki Tollgate where officers of the Nigerian army reportedly shot and killed scores of unarmed protesters.

It advised CP Odumosu to instead protect the protesters against hoodlums who are looking to hijack the demonstration to cause mayhem in Lagos State.

Read full letter below:

An Open Letter To Lagos State Commissioner Of Police Who Plans To Deal With Any Protester In Lagos

Dear Sir, I don’t need anyone to tell me you are a upright man who wants to peace and progress of Nigeria. You got to where you are now through your hardwork and wise judgement. There are some few things I would want to you think about with regards to the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest that might happen on the 13th of February 2021.

Now that you have vowed against any form of protest in Lagos State what will you do if the youths disobey your warnings and come out in large numbers on Saturday ? Will the police shoot at them? Will the police throw tear gas at them? Will the police hit them with batons? Will the police arrest them like criminals?

I believe you can recall the ugly and sad scene of the previous protest after some of your men opened fire at protesters, this might turn out to be worse if your men open fire at any protester on the 13th of February.

Sir, these youths are angry over the decision of the Lagos State Judicial Panel to allow Lekki Concession Company to reopen the Lekki tollgate without bringing to book those who were behind the shooting of peaceful protesters on the 20th of October 2020.

Sir, it would be better if you order your men to protect them against hoodlums who may want to hijack the protest. I am aware you know it’s against the law for any policeman to open fire at protesters who wants help from the government. Also, any kind of violence from your men might lead to serious violence in Lagos State that may spread to neighboring states.

Please sir think about this before Saturday and instruct your men against the use of guns, tear gas or batons on protesters. Thank you sir. God bless Nigeria.

From a good citizen of Nigeria who wants peace.

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