Operatives of the Lagos state police command arrested 34 suspected hoodlums at the EndSARS anniversary protest in the state on Wednesday, a statement from the command said.
In a press release issued by the command’s spokesperson, Adekunle Ajisebutu, the suspects were arraigned before a court of law.
According to the statement, the hoodlums allegedly stabbed one Shina Edun of Man O’ War Nigeria attached to the Lekki Concession Company.
The victim was immediately rushed to the hospital where he is currently receiving medical attention.
Ajisebutu further said the planned protest in commemoration of the one-year anniversary of ENDSARS was carried out by protesters who moved in a motorcade through the Lekki toll gate at about 8 am after which the car procession ended at 10 am.
He noted that by 11:30 am after the real protesters had left peacefully without any confrontation, “hoodlums took advantage of the gridlock with criminal intention to start attacking innocent law-abiding citizens.
”Following the criminal act of the hoodlums, the police responded swiftly and dispersed them with minimum force. Consequently, thirty-four of the hoodlums were arrested.
“Two cutlasses, one hammer, a Jackknife and assorted criminal charms were recovered from them. The arrested suspects have been arraigned in magistrate court 5, Oshodi on the same day before Magistrate Israel Adelakun for the offence of conduct likely to cause a breach of the peace.
“At the end of their trial, two (2) of the accused persons pleaded guilty and were fined in the sum of N10, 000 each. Thirty (30) others pleaded not guilty and were granted bail with one surety and N20,000 in like sum.
“One (1) of them was discharged and acquitted, while one other named Chukwu Chika ‘m’ aged 24 years, who was arrested with a sharp cutlass and assorted charms confessed that he deliberately came to cause violence and mayhem.
Subsequently, the court ordered the police to carry out a thorough investigation on his case and charge him to court appropriately,” the statement reads.
He added that the Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, expressed the Command’s profound gratitude to members of the public for their overwhelming support before, during and after the protest.
“The Commissioner equally renders his apology to any media person whose right might have been inadvertently infringed upon while the security personnel were trying to prevent the breakdown of law and order.”
