…dispels Fears of Targeted Raids on Protesters
Lagos State Police Commissioner, Adegoke Fayoade, has clarified that recent raids conducted by the police were not aimed at youths planning to participate in a hunger protest. Instead, the operations targeted black spots and suspected criminal hideouts.
In the past three days, 214 individuals have been arrested in separate raids in Lagos Island and Alimosho. On July 25, 2024, a joint operation by the Rapid Response Squad and Area ‘A’ Lion Building police resulted in the arrest of 90 suspects in various black spots on Lagos Island.
Additionally, the Lagos State Task Force on Environmental and Special Offences Unit arrested 124 individuals during a raid on a drug hub in Agbado-Oke-Odo, Alimosho, on July 27.
Fayoade emphasized that the raids focused on centers where drugs were sold and consumed, noting that most crimes in the state are linked to drug use.
He assured that the police are working to address the root causes of crime and maintain public safety.
According to him: “The raids, which began between 12 midnight and 3 am, are aimed at clearing black spots in the state. That is our resolve.”
Speaking on the planned protest, he assured that protesters would not only receive adequate security to prevent it from being hijacked but would be entertained as experienced during the endears protest before it was hijacked.
He said, “My advice to protesters is that since they have called it a peaceful protest and the law allows peaceful protest, they should make it very peaceful, we are ready to give them adequate security so that hoodlums don’t hijack it and make it violent. Protesters should expect surprises from us, in terms of giving them a very good statement. We want to let them know the Police are their friends.”
He urged Lagosians to go about their normal activities, assuring that the protest would not infringe on their movements and legal activities.
