Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Olarenwaju Ishola, has issued a strong warning to potential protesters against engaging in unlawful activities during the upcoming demonstration.
This warning was made during a town hall meeting with stakeholders and security agencies organized by the Lagos Police Command on Friday in Ikeja. Various groups are reportedly planning a nationwide protest on October 1 to address the challenges facing the country.
Ishola assured Lagos residents of a police presence to ensure safety and order during the protests.
“We are not preventing anyone from exercising their right to protest. We will safeguard everyone involved to ensure that troublemakers do not take over the situation,” he stated. The police chief emphasized that the command would fulfill its duty to ensure that no group or individual disrupts peace or damages property within the state.
However, he indicated that the planned October 1 protest would be confined to a single location in Lagos.
Also addressing the gathering, Dapo Amao, the Director of the Department of State Services in Lagos, acknowledged the citizens’ right to protest or voice their grievances against the government, but stressed the importance of doing so in a civil manner.
He highlighted the need to prevent the protest from being exploited by criminals intent on violating laws and causing chaos in the state.
“We will work in partnership with other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property. Our aim is to create a conducive environment for businesses to thrive while preventing any escalation of the situation,” he affirmed.