* We’ll hit the streets on Oct 20, defiant Sowore vows
The Police in Lagos have warned against any form of gathering in commemoration of the EndSARS protest anniversary.
The Command said it has credible intelligence suggesting that clandestine plans by some youths, individuals or groups to embark on such protest.
Its spokesman, Adekunle Ajisebutu, quoted Commissioners Hakeem Odumosu as saying: “Lagosian and indeed Nigerians cannot afford to relive the distasteful experience of last year protest which caused pain, anguish, needless loss of lives and wanton destruction of public and private property.”
Ajisebutu therefore announced in through a statement that: “In view of the volatility of the present situations 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.”
He further said, “The Command wishes to use this medium to warn the youths, groups, or associations planning such protest to jettison the idea forthwith. The police in the state will not fold their arms and allow some misguided elements disrupt the peace and serenity currently being enjoyed in the State.”
To forestall breakdown of law and order, the Police, he warned, will use all legitimate means within their constitutional powers to stop the planned protest.
The Police advised parents and guardians to prevent their children against participating in the planned protest, adding, “Individuals or groups sponsoring such protest are also warned in their own interest to desist from such unpatriotic plan or face the full weight or wrath of the law.”
The Commissioner assured all law-abiding residents of the state to go about their legitimate businesses without fear of harassment or intimidation as adequate additional security measures have been put in place to ensure protection of their lives and property today and even beyond.
But in his reaction, a human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, insisted that come rain or shine there will be #EndSARS memorial protests on October 20, saying Nigerians cannot be suppressed.
In a post on his verified Twitter, he wrote “@PoliceNG in Lagos & across Nigeria, there will be #EndSARS memorial protests and direct actions on October 20, 2021.
“Nobody can suppress the will of Nigerians to repudiate the mass atrocities of the @mbuhari regime on that day and beyond.”