By Augustine Ehikioya
The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, CP Adegoke Fayoade, on Wednesday, declared that the Police Command is fully prepared for the protest starting Thursday, 1st August, 2024.
He urged the protesters to carry out their aspirations peacefully at the designated area ordered by Court of Jurisdiction in Lagos State.
Speaking with Security Watch Africa (SWA) crew in Lagos State, he noted that this protest is very different with the EndSARS protest in the State in the year 2020.
While the EndSARS protest was spontaneous, violent and hijacked by hoodlums, he said that the Police Command received a letter from the organizers of the protest planned for August 1st even though they refused to turn up for a meeting to work out modalities, just like the last one in the state was properly organized and protesters were given water and biscuits when showing signs of weakness.
CP Fayoade said, “We are aware of the protest coming up, so we are prepared. It will not turn out like that of 2020.
“We have to ensure that the protest is in line with what is enshrined in the Constitution. It has to be devoid of violence and loss of lives and properties. So it is going to be a different game entirely.
“We are committed to peaceful protest. We are committed to ensuring that protesters are protected.
“We are going to ensure the court injunctions that restrict protesters to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park and two other places.
“We are going to comply with the law. We will do that with utmost courtesy and in a professional and friendly manner. We urge them to cooperate with us.” he stated.
According to him, most Lagosians are not even ready for the protest as they don’t want a repeat of what happened during the EndSARS protest in the State in 2020.
Noting that the protest may not meet the aspirations of the organizers, he said, the Police is fully on ground to tackle any eventuality as it has the mandate to ensure protection of lives and property and for law and order to remain intact in the State.
Speaking further on what the law says about protest, he said the Police, Army and other security agencies will be on ground to make the protest peaceful and stop hoodlums from infiltrating the group and taking advantage of the protest.
