The Commissioner of Police in Lagos State, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, has urged residents to refrain from attacking protesters during the upcoming planned nationwide demonstrations.
Addressing traditional rulers and community leaders from Eti-Osa, Ibeju-Lekki, Epe, and Lagos Island local government areas during a town hall meeting on Saturday, Fayoade emphasized the importance of maintaining peace.
With the protests scheduled to begin on August 1 and end on August 10, Fayoade highlighted that the police and other security agencies had met and declared there should not be any protests in Lagos State.
However, he warned against residents taking the law into their own hands by attacking protesters.
“If there must be a protest, it must be peaceful. We want to know those who want to protest so that we can make arrangements for their security,” Fayoade stated.
“It is your right to protest legitimately as long as it does not affect the rights of others.”
The commissioner also cautioned any groups planning violent protests to reconsider, noting, “Any group planning a violent protest should rethink. Such a group will meet police and other security agencies. We don’t want a repeat of the #EndSARS. The duty of residents is to give the police timely information about any group planning a violent protest; it is not for them to attack them.”
Traditional rulers in attendance echoed the police chief’s sentiments.
Oba Abdulfatai Aromire, the traditional ruler of Ijora/Apapa, appealed to his subjects to avoid participating in the planned protest.
All the traditional rulers and community leaders present agreed that there should be no protests in Lagos State.
The leaders praised the Commander of Area J Police Command, Mrs. Yemisi Ojo, for her efforts in tackling crime and commended the police commissioner for the recent neutralization of nine kidnappers in Mushin.
They also urged Fayoade to address the issue of land grabbers in their areas.
As tensions rise over the planned protests, which are motivated by economic hardships and governance issues, Fayoade’s call for peace and adherence to lawful protest procedures aims to prevent a repeat of the violence that marred the #EndSARS protests in 2020.