Lagos Police Command Denies Forceful Crowd Dispersal At Lekki Toll Gate

In regards to the dispersal of crowds at the Lekki Toll Gate on September 21, 2023, the Lagos State Police Command is aware that there are false narratives circulating.

An agreement between the candlelight procession’s organisers and the Lagos State Police Command stipulated that the march would stop at Muri Okunola, Victoria Island, at the latest by 8 p.m. For the sake of clarity, it was announced that the Lekki Toll Gate will be off-limits due to the high volume of traffic on the Lekki-Epe Motorway.

The police provided excellent protection during the march, however it was unsettling to see people congregating at the Lekki Toll Gate for reasons unrelated to the #justiceforMohbad movement after it had properly concluded at Muri Okunola park as planned.

Since the procession organisers had broken the agreement, the Lagos State Police Command summoned them back to the scene to help convince the people waiting at the toll gate to leave without violence. The event’s organisers also issued a call to action via social media, telling participants to head home and making it clear that what had taken place was not a protest but rather a successful march. Hours passed during which police and organisers tried to reason with the crowd, only to be met with hostility. All roads leading into and out of Lekki were jammed at this time. The normally constant flow of traffic on the motorway had come to a complete halt.

Those who had been here before, seen comparable situations, and seen the crowd dynamics might spot the warning signals of impending mayhem and disorder.

Following the failure of verbal persuasion, we resorted to the use of teargas as the least destructive way of crowd dispersion in order to carry out our mission of protecting life and property, maintaining law and order, and preventing crimes. There was no use of live ammunition. When dealing with the disorderly crowd, the police used standard procedures for crowd management. There were no casualties or harm done.

Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, issues a public warning to anyone planning to cause trouble in Lagos that anyone doing so, under any pretence, will be swiftly apprehended and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

The Lagos State Police Command thanks the organisers of the parade for their trust and assures everyone who has shown support for #justiceforMohbad and the people of Lagos in general that their safety and security will remain a top priority.

Meanwhile, the investigation into what happened to Mr. Ilerioluwa Aloba is making good headway. Therefore, the public is asked to refrain from interfering and instead provide the Command with the quiet, secure internal space it needs to conduct a thorough and timely inquiry.

It’s important to point out that the Lagos State Police Command has been communicating regularly and openly with all serious advocates of #justiceforMohbad, as was promised. This cooperation will be maintained while the public is guaranteed that it will be kept abreast of developments in the investigation.

LAGOS STATE COMMAND IKEJA POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER SP BENJAMIN HUNDEYIN, ANIPr, MIPRA

TODAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2023.