Police Make U-turn, Okay #EndSARS Protest

Femi Ashekun/

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has described protest as a right every Nigerian is entitled to.

According to NAN, Odumosu stated this while addressing journalists in Lagos on Saturday.

The latest statement by the police boss marked a U-turn from his earlier warning against any gathering or organisation of protest in commemoration of the first anniversary of last year’s #EndSARS protest in the state.

Youths in the state have been mobilising to mark the #EndSARS memorial on October 20.

In an earlier statement, the Lagos Police Command had said, “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…”.

But, while speaking on Saturday, Odumosu also promised that the state police command would be ready to protect protesters.

He added that the police would only implore the organisers of such protests to work together and have a meeting point.

He said, “If you want to protest, it is your right under the law but you don’t have to block the road because, in the process of obstructing the road, you are no longer protesting for a better life for people.

“However, what happens to pregnant women in an emergency, what happens to collapsed buildings, fire incidents when the roads are blocked?

“Don’t forget that this is Lagos, it is the economy of the country and it is equally a working day and you can imagine those lives that earn their living on a daily basis.

“There are some people that cannot feed their families when protesters block the road definitely.”

He appealed to the #EndSARS protesters to give the police adequate information to ensure their protection and free flow of traffic.

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