Unlike what obtains in every democracy especially the celebration of the nations independence,Lagosians known for their active political spirit,will have to remain indoors contrary to what obtains 60 years ago when the Union Jack was lowered at the the Race Course now christened Tarawa Balewa Square.
In a press release Wednesday,the command spokesman,Olumuyiwa Adejobi asks citizens to stay indoors to observe the celebration as the command will not tolerate parade and protests in any form.
He quoted the state police commissioner,Hakeem Odumosu as instructing officers and men to disallow any unlawful societies under whatever guise from staging rallies or protest within the state.
Full statement below:
REF NO: CZ: 5650/LA/PPRO/VOL.3/32.
POLICE PRESS RELEASE, LAGOS STATE COMMAND, DATED 30TH SEPTEMBER, 2020.
LAGOS COMMAND WARNS AGAINST RALLY, PROTEST, AS STATE GOVERNMENT CANCELS OCTOBER 1ST CEREMONIAL PARADE IN LAGOS.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Hakeem Odumosu, has instructed officers and men of the command to disallow any unlawful societies, under whatever disguise, from staging rallies or protests within the state on Thursday, 1st October, 2020.
The Police boss read the riot act today during a security meeting with the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Department at the conference room, State Headquarters, GRA, Ikeja in Wednesday.
While the Commissioner of Police announced the cancellation, by the Lagos State Government, of the ceremonial parade to commemorate the Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary, he warned that the command will not allow any gatherings, rallies or protests against the sovereignty of Nigeria in the state.
CP Hakeem Odumosu similarly warned parents and guardians to warn their children and wards to desist from any rallies, protests or be mobilized to wage war against the government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, or else they (parents or guardians) of any youths arrested for such act will be prosecuted.
The Commissioner of Police however apppealed to the general public to be law-abiding, desist from violence and any act that is capable of disrupting the sovereignty of Nigeria.
In the same vein, the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Department of Information and Communication Technology, DIG Celestine Okoye, fsi, addressed the officers at the instance of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Mohammed Abubakar Adamu, on the need to maintain law and order in the state and repel any forces that can disintegrate Nigeria.
DIG Okoye also sounded a note of warning that officers and men of the Command must act within the ambit of the law in every situation.
SIGNED
SP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI(mnipr)
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR:
THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
LAGOS STATE COMMAND
IKEJA
