Lagos police outlaw rally, procession over fear of #EndSARS protest

There is palpable tension in Lagos state over the threat by some individuals to resume the #ENDSARS protest in the state and other states across Nigeria with effect from tomorrow.

#EndSARS, a decentralised social movement, and series of mass protests calling for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) over right abuses, rocked most states in Nigeria in October, before it was halted on October 20 when soldiers dispersed protesters at Lekki Toll Plaza in Lagos.

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The intervention of the soldiers generated controversy as some protesters were allegedly shot and killed, but the military has denied the allegation, insisting that its men fired blank bullets to disperse protesters.

Lagos state witnessed massive arsons and destruction of public assets in the aftermath of the October protest and shooting.

It was gathered that the #EndSARS movement has started mobilising for the second phase of the protest, starting from tomorrow.

Meanwhile the Lagos State Police Command, Saturday, insisted there is a ban on protest and public processions in the state, stressing that violators would be made to face the wrath of the Law.

The command was reacting to rumours of another planned protest by promoters of #EndSARS.

Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, in an interview with our correspondent, said the command had warned against “any peaceful or violent protest whatsoever in the state to avert further breakdown of law and order, killings, burning and lootings that marred the recent Endsars protest in the state”.

Adejobi said the Command is mobilising its men to stop the planned protest in a bid to maintain law and order and prevent any act that is capable of causing pains, anarchy and losses of lives and property in the state.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has put all police personnel and other security agents in the state on red alert, while he charged them to be professional and act according to the provisions of the law, either in quelling riots or for self-defence” he added.