Lagos Govt, Community Leaders, Security Agencies Raise Concerns Over Proposed Nationwide Protest

Lagos Govt, Community Leaders, Security Agencies Raise Concerns Over Proposed Nationwide Protest

Stakeholders including religious leaders, community leaders, government officials, ssecurity agency heads, National Association of Nigerian Students NANS, Nigeria Bar Association NBA and other right groups have expressed deep concerns over the proposed nationwide protest scheduled to hold on August 1 in Lagos State.

The leaders who took turns to speak at a security summit organised by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Adegoke Fayoade on Thursday at the POWA complex in Ikeja, said the event may be hijacked by hoodlums and lead to chaos, violence and break down of law and order as witnessed during the Endsars protest in 2020.

They were unanimous in their submissions that they would not allow the proposed August 1 to 10 nationwide protest against hardship in the country to hold in the state.

The state Commissioner for Youths and Social Development, Mr Bola Ogunlede appealed to those behind the protest to shelve it to avoid violence and destruction.

He pleaded with youths and other residents to give government more time to make life more comfortable for the people in view of the harsh economic challenges. He noted that only peaceful atmosphere can guarantee growth and development.

Speaking on the proposed protest, he said: “When we can not clearly identify those behind a protest, then it becomes a problem and no longer a protest. People always associate youths with protest because we constitute large percentage of the Nigerian society and Lagos. But the harsh economy is not affecting only the youths but everyone.

“I’m glad that all stakeholders are here which shows that we take responsibility and are collectively making a statement that Lagos is our home and should not be marked for destruction. We have all seen what happened in Kenya and how they are counting losses. When these things happen, it is like a snowball with a ripple effect. We are begging and appealing that we keep our Lagos and Nigeria safe.”

Professor Ishaq Akintola, Director of Muslims Rights Concern, MURIC, noted that Lagos has been home to all tribes and very receptive. “Lagos doesn’t deserve destruction, burning, killing and looting. Things are expensive all over the world even in the UK and only an atmosphere of peace can bring more prosperity and developments.”

The Director of the Department of State Service in Lagos State, Mr Dapo Amao reiterated that everyone has a right to protest but must not trample on rights of others

“That’s what makes society function well. The people can criticise the government but the question is how peaceful could this planned protest be? If it starts can we control it? We all remember what happened during Endsars. Even when people wanted it to stop, it went overboard. We should be patient at this point and give government enough time.”

Speaking at the event, CP Fayoade said the security agencies had resolved not to encourage the protest, adding that the organisers and their purpose for the protest were not known to security agencies.

Fayoade noted that some protests in the past were organised by known people or groups and were peaceful.

According to the police chief, if the protest holds as planned, it can be hijacked by hoodlums to cause violence.

“We want Lagos to remain safe and secure. We have to talk to residents. They deserve a secure environment to eke living. Faceless elements should not be allowed to disrupt the peace.

“Lagos is unarguably the commercial nerve of the nation. Everyone should be able to live peacefully and grow their businesses. That will help to grow the economy,” he noted.

Reasuring the residents, he said, “There’s no need for public panic. The police are up to task and on top of their game. We are going to be everywhere to ensure that nobody is molested or disturbed from doing their business.”

He added that not only Nigeria but the whole world faces various economic challenges following global events like COVID-19, Ukraine Russia war as well as the climate change and these events have thrown up daunting challenges.