Police in Lagos have denied reports that they have agreed to allow street protests in commemoration of the one year #EndSARS anniversary on October 20.
Spokesman of the Command Adekunle Ajisebutu said in a statement on Monday that the police will only allow indoor and virtual event in commemoration of the #EndSARS anniversary and will provide adequate security at the venue(s) if known.
This comes after activists behind the planned protests said they would hold a car procession at Lekki toll gate in commemoration of the anniversary.
Mr Ajisebutu said intelligence revealed security could be compromised as conflicting groups could clash on that day.
“In view of the conflicting interest between the pro and anti- EndSARS anniversary groups and threat to cause mayhem, the Command once again warns both groups against any form of street protest between now and 20th October, 2021 and beyond,” the statement read.
“To avoid a recurrence of the gory protests of last year during which some innocent Nigerians including police officers were gruesomely murdered, private and public property plundered and maliciously destroyed, the police will not abdicate their responsibilities of protection of lives and property by allowing such avoidable incident happen again in the state.”
The spokesman said the police commissioner Hakeem Odumosu warned that the “police will deploy all legitimate means to stop or neutralise the planned protests.”
