The Lagos State Police Command said that news making the rounds that some protesters were arrested on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota was false.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin said that it was imperative to emphasise that the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ishola in a proactive approach invited all protest organisers and met with civil society organisations and other organisers of the protest that attended the meeting on Friday, September 27, 2024, in his Ikeja office.
He added: The protest organisers cooperated with the police, gave assurances to be peaceful and of good behaviour, mentioned their route and informed the police that the protest was for October 1, 2024 only. It would be recalled that the protest went as planned while the police provided adequate security as assured.
“It is on the strength of the foregoing that the Command, in good time, swooped on people masquerading as protesters at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park Ojota. Their conduct is not only inciting but tantamount to fomenting trouble.”
According to Hundeyin, a total of nine suspects were arrested: Funmi Robert ‘m’ 60, Sunday Obasoro ‘m’ 24, Sikiru Adeagbo ‘m’ 41, Babatunde Oyeleye ‘m’ 32, Akin Okunowo ‘m’ 50, Dare Toyin ‘m’ 21, Adebayo Shobogun ‘m’ 37, Michael Adeleke ‘m’ 23 and Stanley Akonye ‘m’ 42, with a Toyota pickup with registration number SRA 813 XB.
“While suspects will be arraigned for conduct likely to cause a breach of peace, the Command assures all Lagosians that it would not relent in taking all steps necessary towards ensuring their optimum safety and security,” said Hundeyin.
