The Lagos State Police Command has denied manhandling peaceful protesters commemorating the second anniversary of the Lekki Toll Gate shooting of October 20, 2020.
Command spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin issued the rebuttal on Thursday following allegations that police descended on #EndSARS Memorial protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate today.
A video sighted by The Herald on Twitter showed a police van spraying protesters with a substance suspected to be water.
Tear gas ⛽️ opened against peaceful protesters at #Lekkitollgate
The Nigerian police is at it again. Please be avoid lekki toll gate
Falz kemi #LekkiMassacre #EndSARSProtest #endsars Sanwo olu pic.twitter.com/qXvUuBhu4k
— Mavis Ikpeme (@mavisikpeme) October 20, 2022
According to Hundeyin, peaceful protesters were allowed to move around without interference.
He said only “lawless” protesters attempting to cause the breakdown of law and order were dispersed with teargas.
The police spokesman also debunked claims that batons and other weapons were used on the protesters, noting there was no form of physical contact between policemen and the protesters.
“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 take appropriate action,” Hundeyin tweeted.