Lagos Govt frees detained #EndSARSMemorial protesters

Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has ordered the police to release protesters arrested in the state during the one-year memorial gathering held in Lekki by Nigerian youths to commemorate the shooting by the military of peaceful and unarmed #EndSARS protesters who were demanding good governance and better policing in the country.

The commemoration of the October 20, 2020 Lekki toll gate shooting by the military took place on Wednesday.

Sanwo-Olu directed that all innocent and peaceful citizens picked up be freed immediately.

Only the man caught at the toll gate with dangerous weapons, including a machete, will be prosecuted, according to the governor.

“Everyone arrested in connection with the protest have all been released, except an individual that was caught with dangerous weapons.

“He who confessed to the police that he joined the protest to cause mayhem,” the governor disclosed.

Sanwo-Olu commended the police for being alive with its responsibility to identify and isolate troublemakers from among law-abiding people.

Earlier, Thursday, the state Police Command said it had arrested 34 suspects following the #EndSARS anniversary protest on Wednesday.

In a statement made available to newsmen, the spokesperson for the Lagos police command, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, however, said some hoodlums took advantage of the gridlock to attack motorists after the #EndSARS protest had ended.

“At about 11:30 pm, after the real protesters had left peacefully without any confrontation; hoodlums took advantage of the gridlock, with criminal intentions to start attacking innocent law-abiding citizens.

“One Shina Edun of Man O’ War Nigeria, attached to the Lekki Concession Company was stabbed in the stomach by the hoodlums. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.

“Following the criminal acts by the hoodlums, the police responded swiftly and dispersed them with minimum force.

“Consequently, 34 of the hoodlums were arrested. Two cutlasses, one hammer, a jackknife, and assorted charms were recovered from them,” he said.

The PPRO said the suspects were arraigned on the same day at Oshodi Magistrates’ Court 5, before Magistrate Israel Adelakunon, for conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.

While two of the accused persons pleaded guilty and were fined N10,000 each, 30 others pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N20,000 with one surety in like sum.

“One of them was discharged and acquitted, while one other, named Chukwu Chika, who was arrested with a sharp cutlass and assorted charms confessed that he deliberately came to cause violence and mayhem.”

Ajisebutu said the court ordered the police to carry out a thorough investigation on his case and charge him to court appropriately.