By Onyewuchi Ojinnaka
In what is no doubt a show of force, aimed at intimidating Lagos youths, the Police have deployed teams of heavily armed and battle ready operatives to the Lekki toll plaza ahead of Saturday’s EndSARS protest.
Sources within the police that spoke to TheNiche Friday evening said authorities in Lagos and Abuja were determined not to be caught unawares as it happened in October 2020.
The Rapid Response Squad (RRS) of the Lagos State Police Command has equally confirmed the deployment.
“CSP Yinka Egbeyemi is presently leading a team of police officers on a show of force to Lekki Toll Gate (Admiralty Plaza) Obalende, Ikoyi, Jakande Roundabout, and other areas in Eti Osa,” RRS tweeted Friday night.
The Police department said this was “part of efforts to deter crime as well as boost the morale of officers in the areas”.
Two opposing camps – #OccupyLekkiTollGate and #DefendLagos – are planning separate protests on Saturday.
The call for Saturday’s protest commenced after the nine-member Panel of Inquiry approved the reopening of the toll plaza in a 5-4 split decision.
The chairman, Justice Doris Okuwobi and four others ruled in favour of another application by the Lekki Concession Company (LCC).
Both the Federal and State governments have warned against the protests tomorrow.
