The Lagos State Police Command has said, contrary to viral video, no #EndSARS protest was staged at the Lekki toll plaza on Monday.
Our correspondent who is at the Lekki toll plaza as of the time of filing this report also did not witness any protest or gathering as police officers manned the toll gate.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement titled, ‘No Protest, Gathering In Lagos State’, said the police will deal decisively with persons with the intention of staging any fresh protest that could lead to the breakdown of law and order in the state.
The statement read, “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a viral video of a protest at Lekki Tollgate, Lagos State, purported to have been staged today 7th December, 2020.
“The Command wishes to debunk the fake video that has been circulated to create tension and destabilise security network in the state. The video was one of the viral videos released during the recent violent #EndSARS protest before the Lekki Tollgate plaza was set ablaze by the violent protesters on 21st October, 2020.
“The command, therefore, urges the general public to regard the video as baseless and mischievous.
“The command also wishes to appeal to the general public to remain calm and go about their lawful businesses as the police is prepared to deal decisively, within the ambit of the law, with any act of lawlessness that could lead to breakdown of law and order in the state.”
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Monday, said any act of hooliganism in the name of fresh protests in the country will be dealt with. This is as fresh #EndSARS protest rocked Osogbo, the Osun State capital, today.
The #EndSARS protests, which took place in October, were hijacked by hoodlums leading to the destruction of properties and loss of lives across the country.
The demonstrations also turned bloody in Lagos on October 20, 2020, when men in military uniform opened fire on young protesters at the Lekki toll plaza, an epicentre of the protests in Lagos.
Thousands of prisoners were also set free during the riots that followed.
PUNCH