The Lagos State Police Command could not explain why it arrested over 17 protesters at the fourth remembrance of the EndSARS Lekki Toll Gate massacre on Sunday.
“All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on the ground at the SCID to personally see to that,” Ben Hundeyin, the Lagos Police spokesperson, posted on X on Sunday afternoon.
Sanyaolu Juwon, director of the human rights organisation Take It Back (TIB) Movement, who joined the EndSARS memorial, also confirmed the release to FIJ.
All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on ground at the SCID to personally see to that.— SP Benjamin Hundeyin (@BenHundeyin) October 20, 2024
READ ALSO: Protesters Speak From Black Maria as Lagos Police Arrest Over 17 at EndSARS Memorial
According to Juwon, the affected protesters were about 22.
This development came hours after Inibehe Effiong, a human rights lawyer, and Omoyele Sowore, the publisher of Sahara Reporters, raised the alarm on social media.
Effiong also confirmed the release of the arrested protesters.
FIJ saw video clips showing the protesters calling for help after they were arrested and conveyed in a Black Maria to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Panti.
Some of the arrested protesters include Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Remilekun Orunsolu, Olamide Thomas, Micheal Adedeji, Adeseye Eshe and Olamilekan Sanusi.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Lagos Police Teargas EndSARS Memorial Demonstrators
FIJ also reported how the police shot tear gas canisters at the EndSARS memorial demonstrators who were demanding the arrest and prosecution of Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and former President Muhammadu Buhari. The 2020 Lekki Toll Gate massacre happened under Buhari and Sanwo-Olu’s watch.
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson could not be reached for comments on why the protesters were arrested.
FIJ called Hundeyin four times, but his number was busy all through. FIJ also sent an SMS and Whatsapp message, but he had not responded at the time of publication.
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