By Moboluwade Tobiloba
The Lagos State Police Command has arraigned 34 suspects arrested during the EndSARS memorial protest at the Lekki Tollgate on Wednesday.
Adekunle Ajisebutu, the Command’s spokesperson in a statement on Thursday, stated that the planned protest in commemoration of the one year anniversary of the EndSARS movement aas carried out peacefully by protesters who moved in motorcade through the Lekki toll gate at about 8.00am, ending at about 10.00am.
However, about two hours after the protesters had left, some hoodlums decided to use the opportunity to wreck havoc attacking innocent law-abiding citizens.
The statement said, “One Shina Edun ‘m’, of Man O’ War Nigeria attached to the Lekki Concession Company was stabbed in the stomach by the hoodlums. The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.
“Following the criminal act of the hoodlums, the police responded swiftly and dispersed them with minimum force.
“Consequently, thirty-four of the hoodlums were arrested. Two cutlasses , one hammer, a Jack knife and assorted criminal charms were retrieved from them.
“The arrested suspects have been arraigned in magistrate court 5, Oshodi on the same day before Magistrate Israel Adelakun for the offence of conduct likely to cause breach of the peace”.
Ajisebutu added, “At the end of their trial, two (2) of the accused persons pleaded guilty and were fined in the sum of N10, 000 each. Thirty (30) others pleaded not guilty and were granted bail with one surety and N20,000 in like sum.
“One (1) of them was discharged and acquitted, while one other named Chukwu Chika ‘m’ aged 24 years, who was arrested with a sharp cutlass and assorted charms confessed that he deliberately came to cause violence and mayhem.”
The police spokesperson added that the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu had expressed the Command’s profound gratitude to members of the public for their overwhelming support before, during and after the protests.
He said, “The CP equally rendered his apologies to any media person whose right might have been inadvertently infringed upon while the security personnel were trying to prevent the breakdown of law and order.
“Also, the CP assures members of the public that, in line with the policy of IGP Alkali Baba Usman, of making the police accountable to members of the public, training and retraining of the officers and men shall continue to be intensified.
“The Commissioner of Police uses this medium to thank Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the State Executive Council members for their unalloyed support to security agencies during the protest.”
Ajisebutu added that the CP also appreciated the youths and other stakeholders for their understanding of the prevailing peace and the state’s secure environment.
“The CP notes their cooperation and assistance in not making the state witness the mayhem that characterised last year’s EndSARS protest during yesterday’s one year anniversary. Collectively we shall continue to make the state safer and more peaceful.
“In order to achieve all these, the command has on its own, resolved to redouble its efforts in providing watertight security and protection of lives and property of all law-abiding citizens in the state,” he said.
