Police in Lagos on Thursday says it will not allow any form of rally scheduled to hold in the state on July 3 by agitators of the Oodua Republic and Yoruba Nation.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu who gave the warning at a news conference alongside the State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso at the in Alausa Ikeja stated that any one caught violating the order would face the wrath of the law.
“The attention of the Lagos State Police Command has been drawn to the news making rounds and a press statement signed by one Olayomi Koiki dated 30th June, 2021, that some individuals have concluded plans to stage a mega rally, in continuation of the secessionist agenda for Oodua Republic, on 3rd July, 2021, at Gani Fawehimi Freedom Park, Ojota, Lagos State”.
” Lagos State cannot afford to experience any security lapses, breakdown of law and order and threat to public peace at the moment, considering the negative effects and reoccurring agonies of the October 2020 violent EndSars crisis that led to massive destruction of public and private facilities, while some police personnel and civilians paid the supreme price.
The Lagos State Police Command hereby warns that no rally will be allowed, under whatever guise, in any part of the state,” he Noted
CP Odumosu said intelligence reports show that organisers of the rally are planning to occupy 18 locations in the State simultaneously, including Lekki Toll gate, Iyana-ipaja, Ikeja, Surulere.
He also revealed that one Elewe-Omo , a transport union leader in Ibadan, Oyo State, ” has perfected plan to attack the organizers of the rally as a reprisal attack to the death of one of his followers allegedly killed by Sunday Igboho’s group during a similar rally organized in Ibadan.’
“The Command will not fold it’s hands and allow disgruntled elements to truncate the peace being enjoyed the state,” he warned.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso restated government’s commitment to the tenets of democracy, stressing that Lagos cannot afford another breakdown of law and order under the guise of a protest, especially now that the State is still recovering from the aftermath of the ENDSARS protests hijacked by hoodlums.
“The scars of EndSars are still visible in Lagos State. We advise the organizers to shelve it because the law will take its course. The government of Lagos State is not against rally. We are Democrat. People have right to protest but what we are saying is that at this time in Lagos, it’s not good for us,” he explained.