Authorities in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos State have placed a ban on all forms of protests, gatherings, or processions.
This was reiterated by the Police barely three hours after Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state.
“Due to the new development of violent attacks on police officers and men and formations including innocent Nigerians in Lagos State and the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government, the Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the general public that henceforth, no protest or gathering or procession under whatever guise, is permitted within Lagos State,” Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer said in a statement.
Adejobi said all security agencies have deployed adequate personnel to take charge and enforce the curfew across the state.
“In the same vein, the command regrets to confirm the setting ablaze of Orile Police station today at about 10 am, where some of our policemen were critically injured and unconfirmed reports state that one of them is dead.
“It’s crystal clear that the Endsars protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who want to run down the state and the police command will resist such anarchy, unrest, and brouhaha with all powers within the ambit of the law,” he said.
He said that the command remained resolute in the sustenance of human rights and democratic tenets, and warned citizens to comply with the curfew and desist from any act of violence in the state as the command will resist such in totality.
By Abel Ejikeme