The Lagos State Police Command has admitted that it employed minimal force to disperse some Nigerian youths who gathered at the Lekki Tollgate for the EndSARS memorial procession on Thursday.
Raye24reporters, earlier reported that the Police fired tear gas at the participants of the memorial at the Lekki Tollgate.
Nigerians, particularly youths, had converged at the Lekki facility to demand justice for victims of the October 20, 2020, Lekki massacre, where the Nigerian army allegedly murdered several unarmed protesters.
The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, while debunking speculations that there was sporadic shooting at the tollgate on Thursday, said some of the protesters decided to be lawless, leading to the use of teargas.
In a series of tweets on his official Twitter handle, the PPRO stated that there was no physical contact between the protesters and the police, insisting that no shooting incident was recorded.
He wrote, “Peaceful persons were allowed to move around without interference from the police. Some of them that decided to be lawless and start mounting the toll complex, an action threatening the existing law and order in the area, were dispersed with teargas.
“There was no use of baton, neither was there physical contact. We equally do not have any record of shooting. We would, however, appreciate evidence of gunshots, maybe a video, to enable us to take appropriate action.
“A stitch in time saves nine. They were already gathering at the toll gate as opposed to doing a peaceful procession. Minimal force was used. No injury or fatality”.
