EndSARS Anniversary: Police Arraign 34 Suspects In Lagos

Thirty-four people were arrested by security officers during a crackdown on protestors marking the first anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstration at the Lekki Toll Gate on Wednesday. This is according to Daily Trust Newspaper.

CSP Adekunle Ajisebutu, the state Police Public Relations Officer, said in a statement on Thursday that the suspects, some of whom were detained with various weapons, were arraigned before Magistrate’s Court 5, in the state’s Oshodi area.

He said that the memorial protest was peaceful and did not pose a threat to the safety of people or property until some hoodlums infiltrated the crowd.

See Also EndSARS Anniversary; Police Tear-Gas Protesters At Lekki Tollgate.

He stated that one Shina Edun, a Man O’ War employee linked to the Lekki Concession Company, was stabbed in the stomach by the hoodlums and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Ajisebutu said, “Following the criminal act by the hoodlums, the police responded swiftly and dispersed them with minimum force. Consequently, 34 hoodlums were arrested. Two cutlasses, one hammer, a jackknife and assorted criminal charms were recovered 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 a breach of the peace.”

He continued, “At the end of their trial, two of the accused persons pleaded guilty and were fined the sum of N10, 000 each. 30 others pleaded not guilty and were granted bail with one surety and N20,000 in like sum.

“One of them was discharged and acquitted, while one other named Chukwu Chika, 24, who was arrested with a sharp cutlass and assorted charms confessed that he deliberately came to cause violence and mayhem.

“The court ordered the police to carry out a thorough investigation on his case and charge him to court appropriately.”

See also EndSARS Anniversary; Nigerians Mark Anniversary Despite Police Warning

According to Ajisebutu, the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, apologized to any media person whose right was mistakenly violated while security officers were averting a breakdown in law and order.

“The CP assures members of the public that, in line with the policy of the Inspector-General of Police, Alkali Usman, of making the police accountable to members of the public, uphold the tenets and principles of fundamental human rights, and professional in carrying out their statutory duties, training and retraining of the officers and men shall continue to be intensified,” the statement read in part.