SAN FRANCISCO, October 15, (THEWILL) – The Lagos State Government has described insinuations on social media that it sponsored armed thugs to disrupt the peaceful #EndSWAT protest as untrue and wicked.
A statement by the State Commissioner for information and strategy, Gbenga Omotoso said the allegations were concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government.
Omotoso said the State has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with the youths in their efforts towards police reforms.
The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, according to Omotoso have been “preaching peace. The duo have both addressed the protesters with the governor carrying a placard and marching with the protesters after assuring them that their agitation was legitimate. The Governor also visited the President to tender their five-point demand while also ensuring that arrested protesters were released unconditionally.”
The commissioner slammed those he said are enemies of progress, who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire, are pushing the infernal lies that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack protesting youths.
He added that posts have surfaced on social media suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL) vehicle was conveying thugs a situation he said was untrue.
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The bus in question according to him was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters. The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus but returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left.
He said the State government will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk and is strongly committed to ensuring that youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views and are well protected.
Over 70 touts conveyed in small yellow buses (Korope) disrupted our peaceful protest in Alausa earlier today. They did not only attack us, they also attacked passengers in the Lagos Bus (BRT) & other commuters. pic.twitter.com/gCkuUdTsx0
— Dr PamPam | Omo Iya Ologi (@UnclePamilerin) October 15, 2020
Alausa!!!! Just after some hoodlums tried to hijack our peaceful protest!! We are stronger together! They want to divide us!!! Never Ever!! The government must listen to us!! The Nigerian youths deserve a better Nation now and forever!!! #EndSwat #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria pic.twitter.com/pBUlPCZNkw
— DeboMacaroni (@mrmacaronii) October 14, 2020
