Hardship: Protesters Defy Police, Hit Lagos Streets

A group of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), on Monday, hit the streets of Lagos State to protest against the current economic hardship in the country.

The protest was held despite police warning on Sunday.

The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, had warned intending protesters that breakdown of blaw and order would not be tolerated.

He noted that the protest was capable of grounding commercial activities and obstructing the free flow of traffic.

“The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade, mni has assured Lagosians that the Command has put necessary measures in place to ensure safety of lives and property, free flow of traffic and a peaceful environment for carrying out their respective lawful duties.

“This assurance has become imperative following news making the rounds about nationwide protests billed to start on Monday, February 26, 2024, an action capable of grounding commercial activities and obstructing the free flow of traffic.

“The Command will live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons.

“CP Fayoade, therefore, warns all intending protesters that anyone found infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, CP Fayoade once again enjoins all peace-loving Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been strategically deployed to ensure their safety and security,” the state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, had said in a statement.

Meanwhile, the national coordinator of the Education Rights Campaign (ERC), Hasssan Taiwo, has accused the police of sealing off the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) office in the state, while some protesters were inside, including himself.

“@PoliceNG has sealed off d NLC subheadquarter at Yaba Lagos to prevent d JAF & CORE #EndHungerProtest from taking place. A few comrades are sealed off in the building and do not know what lies in store for them. Please let’s retweet,” Taiwo said via his X handle.

But reacting, the police denied the allegation.

According to the police, its operatives arrived at the scene to prevent the protest from being hijacked.

“This is definitely not true. The Police proactively arrived at the scene to ensure adequate security for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and prevent their procession from being hijacked by hoodlums.

“The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Adegoke Fayoade, addressed the protesters before their procession took off in his presence. The procession has so far been peaceful without any untoward incident.

“What can be seen in the picture is CP Fayoade, addressing the joint security team and charging them to be professional, courteous but firm,” Hundeyin said via his X handle.