Yoruba Nation agitators, police trade blame, as ‘peaceful rally’ turns violent in Lagos
Four people were reportedly shot with two of them fatal as police and Yoruba Nation agitators clashed at the Gani Fawehinmi Park (Freedom Park) in Ojota, Lagos, Monday morning, during a peaceful protest called by the separatist group.
While, the agitators accused the police of shooting dead two of the marchers in an unprovoked attack, the security operatives deployed by the Lagos Police Command, claimed that two of its officers were first attacked by the demonstrators.
The Lagos State police command has said two of its officers were shot by Yoruba nation agitators in the Ojota area of Lagos state during a rally on Monday.
According to sources, the Monday morning mega rally called by the Yoruba Nation agitators had started off peacefully until the men of the State Police Command arrived to disperse the crowd on the grounds that the organisers did not have a permit for the gathering.
In the melee that ensued, police operatives allegedly shot dead two of the demonstrators on the spot, with the crowd of protesters, said to have also been infiltrated by miscreants, subsequently attacking the police operative behind the killing of the marchers.
However, sources also claim that only one fatality was recorded in the clash.
One of the conveners of the rally, Mr Banji Akintoye, also a chieftain of the Ilana Omo Oodua, had alleged that police officers killed two demonstrators during the ‘peaceful’ rally.
However, Spokesperson of the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement, confirmed the attack on its officers, adding that the two police officers injured during the rally are receiving treatment in a hospital.
Hundeyin accused the agitators of disrupting social and commercial activities in the Ojota area under the pretext of the rally.
“A team of police officers, comprising Alausa Division and the Raid Respond Squad (RRS) promptly stepped in to disperse the unlawful gathering and prevent a breakdown of law and order,” the Lagos police spokesperson said.
“The miscreants attacked the police, shooting, and destroyed two vehicles in the process. One person has been confirmed dead, while two police officers shot by the miscreants are currently receiving treatment.
“Four suspects have been arrested and investigations have commenced. Meanwhile, normalcy has been restored to the area. Lagosians are urged to go about their lawful businesses as measures have been put in place to prevent further breakdown of law and order; and keen monitoring of the situation continues.”
Meanwhile, the State Government has assured that normal cy has since resumed at the area in Ojota following the morning clash between the police and Yoruba Nation demonstrators.
An aide to State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Jubril Gawat, tweeted an update on the incident, stating that all was calm at Ojota.
“UPDATE: Ojota is calm. OP-MESA and other Police Divisions are fully on ground. People are going about their normal duties, all clear,” Gawat wrote.
Armed policemen and vehicles have also taken over the Gani Fawehinmi Park at Ojota.
