Femi Ashekun/
The Lagos State Police Command has reacted to reports that officers detained a lone protester, Mr. Declan Ihekaire, during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration in the Iyana Ipaja area of Lagos.
In a statement posted on its verified X handle, the command said Ihekaire was not detained but only cautioned after being found in the midst of a developing security situation in the area.
“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to clarify that Mr. Declan Ihekaire, who staged a lone protest in the Iyana Ipaja area, was not detained,” the statement read. “Teargas were fired by police and riot personnel to disperse miscreants and hoodlums who attempted to hijack the protest and cause mayhem among innocent people in the area.”
The command added that Ihekaire was merely advised on the need to operate within the limits of the law.
“He was cautioned on the need to operate within the confines of the law and not instigate violence and disturbance of the peace in the city of Lagos. He was subsequently allowed to go,” it stated.
The police neither confirmed nor explicitly denied whether Ihekaire was briefly held for questioning following the protest, which some witnesses said drew a small crowd before being dispersed.
The statement further noted that the Commissioner of Police was personally leading what it described as a “show of exercise” across the state “for confidence building in the populace.”
“The State is calm and peaceful, and everyone is going about their lawful activities and other business engagements peacefully,” the police said, assuring residents that there was no cause for alarm.
Mr. Ihekaire, a long-time activist and convener of the Concerned Citizens Forum, had earlier been seen in viral videos holding a placard demanding the release of the detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
His brief protest at Iyana Ipaja reportedly attracted the attention of police operatives and some onlookers before it was dispersed.
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