#EndSARS campaigner and social media influencer, Rinu Oduala, has reacted to a statement attributed to the Lagos State police commissioner, warning residents to desist from participating in any protest planned to commemorate those who died during #EndSARS protest in 2020.

In a statement on Monday, Odumosu promised that his officers would resist any of such protests.


A statement from the police stated, “The police in the state will not fold their arms and allow some misguided elements disrupt the peace and serenity currently being enjoyed in the state.

“To forestall breakdown of law and order, the police will use all legitimate means within their constitutional powers to suppress the planned protest...”

Reacting via a post on her Twitter handle on Wednesday, Rinu said the Lagos police boss and his officers have no right to clamp down on peaceful protesters.

According to her, the youth are not scared of the guns and weapons wielded by officers.

She added that any form of attack by policemen would be resisted.

Her post reads, “CP Hakeem Odumosu, you have no jurisdiction, right or authority to warn against, prevent or clamp down on peaceful protests.

“You are a public servant whose job is to ensure the security & rights of protesters. Do not trespass your limits or the constitution.

“You & many of your officers are known for extortion, kidnappings, profiling & extrajudicial killings, committing crimes daily against Lagos inhabitants with impunity.

“It’s a shame we have to demand for dignity from you who benefits from our indignity.

“Your guns & teargas will not deter us from protesting. It is better to go to prison/the court of law to justify our rights, than sit in the court of our conscience to justify our fear.

“That fear won’t still save us from being extorted or killed extrajudicially by your officers.

“Any attempt of yours to encroach on our fundamental rights to protest shall be resisted. Evil will not last forever."

In October 2020, Nigerians across the country stormed the streets to demonstrate against police brutality and bad governance under the #EndSARS campaign.

However, on October 20, soldiers from the Bonny Camp, 81 division, invaded the Lekki tollgate, where some demonstrators had gathered, and fired gunshots.

Though the right to peaceful assembly and the right to protest are constitutional rights of Nigerians, the police have continued to clamp down on protesters.

Just recently, Nigeria police opened fire on members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) during a peaceful procession in Abuja.

Also, during a peaceful protest on Nigeria's 61st independence day, men of the Nigeria Police Force fired tear gas canisters at protesters in Abuja.

The peaceful protesters could be seen chanting and displaying banners and placards saying 'Buhari Must Go'.

Six of them were arrested by the police, brutalised and detained for demanding the resignation of President Muhammadu Buhari.

They were later released.

henrybomb:
When things like this comes up it is expected that the government try to protect the protesters and other citizens at large.
There is no need stopping them from protesting instead they can negotiate with them and also give them listening ears too.It is the best to quell their hearts and reduce the tension but the government of today is too arrogant and myopic.

itsme01:
Attention seeking

dwas:
Anyone seen protesting in Lagos Endsars should be arrested and prosecuted. How long are we going to be destabilising the already tense atmosphere.
DJ switch and Sowore businesses are not in Lagos.

The question is what is the end game in this. What is their purpose. Are there still Sars ? Have they ever thought for once what resulted outcome could be.

There many people hungry these days that any unrest in Lagos would be immediately hijacked. Shops and businesses will be looted. Why creating such unrest and inflicting pain on others.

helinues:
Proud boys have been alerted to stand gidigba.

You do anyhow, you see anyhow

Lovelive:
You can't stop it. Know this and you shall know peace of mind and body.

BSsniffer:


The nigerian government also has the absolute monopoly on violence and the legal right to take a life without repercussions.

omowolewa:
It's their right to protest

BSsniffer:


You also can't stop a 7.62 × 39 mm bullet from an AK47 moving at 1500 miles-per-hour from entering your numbskull. Bullets travelling at such speeds towards the head is simply instant death, it would spill the rettards brain on the side walk... fortunately the individual never used the brain.

Lovelive:


Bullying won't stop it. Know this and you shall know true peace.

helinues:


You think it's about hiding behind your phone and be making noise, go and join the protest and update us later.

Mtcheeew

helinues:


You think it's about hiding behind your phone and be making noise, go and join the protest and update us later.

Mtcheeew

PrinceOfLagos:

How many people will there bullet kill?

If about 200 people match to the lekki toll gate for the peaceful protest , how many souls police wan waste ?

helinues:


Are you joining the protest?

If not keep shut and don't be an inciter

helinues:


Are you joining the protest?

If not keep shut and don't be an inciter

dwas:
Anyone seen protesting in Lagos Endsars should be arrested and prosecuted. How long are we going to be destabilising the already tense atmosphere.
DJ switch and Sowore businesses are not in Lagos.

The question is what is the end game in this. What is their purpose. Are there still Sars ? Have they ever thought for once what resulted outcome could be.

There many people hungry these days that any unrest in Lagos would be immediately hijacked. Shops and businesses will be looted. Why creating such unrest and inflicting pain on others.

BSsniffer:
The army should shoot any SoB that comes out to block the tollgate. Useful Yoruba idiots will have themselves to blame.

KRSWon:


But it was perfectly fine for Buhari to gather people and protest whenever he lost an election?

When people have gotten tired and fed up and are protesting innocent people getting murdered, robbed or exploited by police, that's when protests suddenly become a problem?