Lagos Police Commissioner Vows to Protect #EndSARS Memorial Protesters, Says Citizens Have Right to Exercise Freedom

Lagos Police Commissioner Vows to Protect #EndSARS Memorial Protesters

Protesters Have Right to Exercise Freedom, Police Chief Says

Two Groups Have Visited Lekki Location So Far, Police Disclose

The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Idowu Owohunwa, has vowed that no harm would befall the #EndSARS memorial protesters as long as they operate within the ambit of the understanding they have with the security agents.

CP Owohunwa gave the assurance on Friday while addressing journalists at the 3rd Year Memorial of the #EndSARS protest at Lekki Toll gate on Friday.

According to him, citizens have the right to exercise their freedom and the Police must protect them.

He added however that the groups visiting the location must however stay clear of any activity that would put the security and peace of Lekki and its environs at risk.

The Police Chief disclosed that so far, about two groups have visited the Lekki location for the third year anniversary of the #EndSARS/Lekki toll gate shooting and they have coordinated themselves properly.

The CP stated, “It has been stable.

We had one nor two groups that came around here for procession and they have been working within our understanding of how it should be.

As a citizen you reserve your right to exercise your freedom and franchise, we respect it, we protect it.

“We do it in such a way that, in the cause of doing that, the groups members will not also be exposed to any form of danger.

That is what we owe them and that is what have have done.”

He added that, “But, then we also made it clear that for the overriding public interest, we will also not allow a situation where those groups conduct them in manner that will put the interest, security, the peace, around Lekki and environs and across the state into jeopardy.

“We also owe the state the responsibility to guarantee their safety. So we’re trying to strike a balance and that’s it so far so good.”

Lagos Police Commissioner Idowu Owohunwa has promised that #EndSARS memorial protesters will be safe as long as they follow the rules agreed upon with security forces.

CP Owohunwa spoke to journalists on Friday at the Lekki Toll Gate, where the 3rd Year Memorial of the #EndSARS protest was being held.

He said that citizens have the right to protest and that the police must protect them.

However, he added that the groups visiting the location must avoid any activities that could endanger the security and peace of Lekki and its surroundings.

The Police Chief said that two groups had visited the Lekki location so far for the third year anniversary of the #EndSARS/Lekki toll gate shooting and that they had coordinated themselves well.

The CP said, “It has been stable.

We had one or two groups that came around here for a procession and they have been working within our understanding of how it should be.

As a citizen, you have the right to exercise your freedom and franchise, we respect it, we protect it.

“We do it in such a way that, in the cause of doing that, the members of the groups will not also be exposed to any form of danger.

That is what we owe them and that is what we have done.”

He added that, “But, then we also made it clear that for the overriding public interest, we will also not allow a situation where those groups conduct them in a manner that will put the interest, security, the peace, around Lekki and environs and across the state into jeopardy.

“We also owe the state the responsibility to guarantee their safety.

So we’re trying to strike a balance and that’s it so far so good.”