A human rights activist and publisher of SaharaReporters,
Omoyele Sowore, has said there will be #EndSARS memorial protests on October
20.
This is despite a warning by the Lagos State Police Command
against protests that might disrupt the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Spokesperson,
Adekunle Ajisebutu, the police said they will use all legitimate means within
their constitutional powers against such.
According to the statement, “Credible intelligence at the
disposal of the command has revealed clandestine plans by some youths,
individuals or groups to embark on a protest today in commemoration of the one
year anniversary of #EndSARS.
“Lagosians and indeed Nigerians cannot afford to relive the
distasteful experience of last year’s protest which caused pain, anguish,
needless loss of lives, and wanton destruction of public and private property.
“In view of the volatility of the present situations in the
country and the breakdown of law and order which the planned protest might
cause, the Lagos State Police Command sternly warns against any form of protest
today.
“The command wishes to use this medium to warn the youth,
groups, or associations planning such protest to jettison the idea forthwith.
“The police in the state will not fold their arms and allow
some misguided elements disrupt the peace and serenity currently being enjoyed
in the state.
“To forestall
breakdown of law and order, the police will use all legitimate means within
their constitutional powers to suppress the planned protest.”
What #EndSARS
protests were about
The #EndSARS protests which were held in October 2020 were
against the activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit
of the Nigeria Police Force which was accused of police brutality.
The epicentre of the protests was the Lekki tollgate in
Lagos where many youths gathered day and night to air their grievances against
police brutality and bad governance.
They were dispersed from the location by gun-wielding
soldiers on October 20, 2020, an action which some quarters believe led to the
loss of lives.
This was followed by the destruction of private and public
properties by hoodlums in Lagos, an incident that informed the latest warning
issued by the police in the state.
However, Sowore, in a post on his verified Twitter handle on
Monday, disregarded the warning issued by the police.
According to him, “@PoliceNG in Lagos & across Nigeria,
there will be #EndSARS memorial protests and direct actions on October 20,
2021.
“Nobody can suppress the will of Nigerians to repudiate the
mass atrocities of the @mbuhari regime on that day and beyond.”
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