Police arrest protesters at Lekki Tollgate in Lagos

Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect

Sequel to widespread criticisms over the recent announcement for the reopening of the toll facility, the Nigeria Police officers arrested protesters at the Lekki Tollgate Saturday, February 13, 2021.

It was gathered the day was a busy one filled with resistance by a crowd of determined young Nigerians who staged a protest in that part of Lagos, the nation’s commercial nerve centre.

The Lekki Tollgate is one of the major venues where hundreds of youths protested across the country, calling for an end to Police brutality, harassment and intimidation of the citizenry October 2020.

The law enforcement agents earlier Friday had launched a show-of-force exercise to express their disapproval of the planned protest.

However, the Police were said to have arrested anyone they suspected to be at the toll gate for a protest Saturday morning.

The law officers as well prevented journalists from moving close to the van where the protesters were being held, Channels TV report said.

Recall the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry February 6, 2021, had ordered that the toll gate be handed over back to the Lekki Concession Company (LCC) to reopen for operations.

Nonetheless, the panel’s decision was not unanimous as some members disagreed with the reopening since investigations into the events of October 20 last year were still ongoing in the state.

By February 8, many Nigerians had taken to social media platforms to express their displeasure at the toll’s reopening, leading to plans for protests and counter-protests in the state.

Banners announcing a protest for February 13 started to circulate, with calls for a counter-protest, with the hashtag #DefendLagos, soon followed.

However, the Federal Government Thursday, February 11 warned against violence in the planned protests, and urged the organisers to cancel their demonstration.

Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Honourable Minister for Information and Culture, said:  “At this time, the chances that any peaceful protest will be hijacked are very high. Any resort to violence in the name of #EndSARS will not be tolerated this time.”

But there is no evidence, yet, that the protesters arrested Saturday were violent, according to report.

The toll plaza had been closed since October last year, during the #EndSARS protests. The protesters had called for an end to Police brutality, harassment and intimidation of the citizenry across the country.

At the time, the Nigerian military were reported to have shot at peaceful protesters occupying the toll, an incident that was described as a massacre by some eyewitnesses, and was roundly condemned worldwide.

But, both the Nigerian Government and military have denied any wrongdoing in this regard.

Report also indicates the youth representatives on the Judicial Panel of Inquiry in a statement February 6 statement noted their disagreement on the matter.

The representatives stated there should be “a full & thorough investigation into the Lekki Toll Gate incident; ensure justice for all victims; & that any & every one found culpable is identified & recommended for appropriate action under the law.”