By Our Reporter
Since the announcement of the planned protest scheduled to commence today, Thursday August 1, 2024,, there has been a covert plan by the police in Lagos to dissuade people from participating by randomly arresting people from between the hours of 7 pm onwards. Reports reveal that where two or three are gathered in certain places, the police will swoop in on them and make their arrest.
In just a few days, one newspaper reported that about 214 persons have been apprehended in separate raids carried out in different areas of Lagos; from Lagos Island to the Mainland.
A breakdown of the figure revealed that 90 suspects were arrested in various black spots on Lagos Island during a joint operation by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, and policemen attached to Area ‘A’ Lion Building, last Thursday, July 25, 2024.
124 others were reportedly arrested by Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Unit during a raid at a drug hub in Agbado-Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, Alimosho, on July 27, as disclosed by the Commissioner for the Ministry of Environment and Water Resources on his X (social media platform).
People who have had their relatives arrested have berated the police for indiscriminately arresting people without any charge, while alleging that the police keep those arrested in cells overnight and make them part with some money before releasing them.
But the Commissioner of Police for Lagos State CP Adegoke Fayoade denied that his men were carrying out random raids specifically targeted at youths planning to join the protest, stressing that the raids were basically targeted at criminal hideouts and other black spots.
“The raids, which began between 12 midnight and 3 am, were aimed at clearing black spots in the state. That is our resolve,’’ the CP said.
Meanwhile, with the proposed protest expected to begin today, the police are on alert as policemen have been drafted to specific areas to avert any trouble.
Police and the community leaders are reportedly collaborating in the effort at keeping the communities safe and secured while the protest lasted.
There has been noticeable presence of policemen in various parts of Lagos and at key spots conducting drills in preparation for any possible occurrence.
CP Fayoade, has, however, allayed any fears in the people assuring that the massive deployment of the police to these spots are not meant to intimidate protesters but to give them adequate security while warding off hoodlums from hijacking the protest as was the case during EndSARS.
Fayoade, however. reportedly appealed to the protesters to comply strictly with instructions given, adhere to the designated routes and schedules, in order to ensure a peaceful protest.
‘’We are ready to give them adequate security so that hoodlums don’t hijack it and make it violent. Protesters should expect surprises from us, in terms of giving them a very good treatment. We want to let them know the police are their friends.”
He urged Lagosians to go about their normal activities, assuring that the protest will not infringe on their movements and legal activities.
With additional reports from the Vanguard