Police in Lagos, on Wednesday, dispersed protesters at the Lekki tollgate, firing teargas canisters around the area.
The action of the police resulted in a commotion as many of the protesters scampered to safety.
Scores of Nigerians, mainly youths, had converged on the Lekki tollgate to commemorate the one year anniversary of #EndSARS in the country.
The police had earlier arrested two of the protesters and detained them in a Black Maria.
But one of those arrested claimed he’s a journalist. The other dressed in white cloth wrapped around his body, was also carrying a placard with #EndSARS inscription.
No fewer than 30 police trucks and armed personnel are deployed around the tollgate to enforce the police ban on protests.
In October 20202, youths under the aegis of #EndSARS, had organised protests against the activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad, a unit of the Nigeria Police Force which they accused of police brutality.
Lekki tollgate in Lagos formed the epicentre of the protests, where many youths gathered on a daily basis to express their grievances against police brutality and bad governance.
But the protesters were, on October 20, 2020, dispersed from the tollgate by armed soldiers, resulting in alleged killing of some persons.
The alleged killings at the tollgate sparked off the destruction of private and public properties by hoodlums in Lagos.
This incident informed Tuesday’s warning by the police in Lagos.
The police in Lagos had said it would not tolerate any form of street protest in commemoration of the #EndSARS anniversary in any part of the state.
Police spokesman, CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, had in a statement on Tuesday, denied claims on social media that the police had agreed to allow street demonstrations to commemorate the #EndSARS protest anniversary scheduled to hold today.
Ajisebutu said the police would only allow indoor and virtual events in commemoration of the anniversary.
He said, “The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to a post being circulated on social media insinuating that the police in Lagos have agreed to allow street protests in commemoration of the one-year #EndSARS anniversary on October 20, 2021.
“On the contrary, the police will only allow indoor and virtual events in commemoration of the #EndSARS anniversary and will provide adequate security at the venue(s) if known. This is in recognition of the rights of every Nigerian to express his or her interest.
“We wish we could permit such street protests. However, intelligence at our disposal has revealed plans by some faceless groups or individuals to stage an anti-#EndSARS anniversary protest in the state on the same day.
“In view of the conflicting interest between the pro and anti-#EndSARS anniversary groups and threat to cause mayhem, the command once again warns both groups against any form of street protest between now and October 20, 2021 and beyond.”