Lagos government says police will give account of what happened at Lekki toll gate
- The arrest of protesters at the Lekki toll gate will be investigated, Lagos state government has insisted
- This followed viral video in which protesters were mistreated by security personnel
- Meanwhile, the state accused the protesters of breaching coronavirus protocols
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Following the release of a viral video in which Nigerians who came to legitimately protest at Lekki toll gate were brutalised, the Lagos state government says the commissioner of police will be questioned on the events.
This was disclosed by the state commissioner for justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, Channels TV reports.
During the protest, many Nigerians were also arrested by the police.
Source: Twitter
Onigbanjo argued that the government has no problem with residents exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression or participation in peaceful protests. However, if the action of the protesters is seen to result in a breakdown of law and order, that is where a crime is being committed.
Explaining that the government is not the one who gives such orders, the commissioner said:
“We condemn any act of brutality on the part of the police.
“The Nigerian police force is a legal entity of its own, with its own processes.
“But the role of the police stops when it comes to prosecution.The state government will ask the CP to give an account of what happened.”
Meanwhile, Legit.ng had earlier reported that Lauretta Onochie, President Muhammadu Buhari's aide on social media, gave kudos to officers of the Nigerian police for the way they conducted themselves at the planned #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest in Lagos state.
Onochie, in reaction to the demonstration on Saturday, February 13, said the police operated in a professional manner as nobody was hurt during the protest.
In a post on her Twitter page on Sunday, February 14, she said officers must be applauded for doing well so that they can take criticisms of their shortcomings in good faith and she shared a video to back her point.
Legit.ng also reported that the Lagos state police command announced that it will carry out an investigation into a viral video showing some officers molesting comedian Mr Macaroni and other protesters arrested at Lekki on Saturday, February 13.
This bit of information was disclosed by the command's spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi in a press statement on Sunday, February 14.
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Aanu Adegun is a politics and current affairs content editor at Legit.ng with over 7 years of experience in both digital and traditional media. A graduate of English Studies from Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo state, Aanu started his journalism career as a features writer. Aanu, who is also a creative writer has written books and children magazines. He once anchored some specialised pages of a national newspaper. Aanu is also a satirist.
Source: Legit.ng
