. . . To Address Lagosians Today
The Lagos State government has denied sponsoring thugs to disrupt the #EndDARS protest currently ongoing across the country, describing unverified reports of same trending on the social media as “untrue and wicked.”
The denial as contained in a statement signed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso and made available to CompassNG.
The statement said, “Such wild allegations were obviously concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government, which has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with our youths in their efforts towards police reforms.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been preaching peace. So has the Deputy Governor, who addressed the protesters last Friday. The governor has addressed them twice – at the Lekki Toll Gate and at the House of Assembly. He even carried a placard and marched with the youths after assuring them that he felt their pains and that it was legitimate for them to protest.
“Besides, the governor visited the President to tender their five-point demand. He ensured that all the protesters arrested by the police were released unconditionally.
“The enemies of progress, who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire, are the ones fueling the infernal lies that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack our protesting youths. They have been posting on the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service Limited, LBSL, vehicle was conveying thugs. The bus in question was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters. The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus. They returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left.
“As a government, we will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk. We are strongly committed to ensuring that our youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views, are well protected.
“This should be a sober time for us all as we struggle to reverse the negative effects of COVID-19 on our economic and social lives, even as the experts are warning that a second wave is likely if we shun the safety guidelines we have all agreed to embrace.
“The government seeks the co-operation of all in ensuring that the crisis is put behind us as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, the state governor, Sanwo-Olu would address Lagosians to allay fears created in the mind of the people by mischief makers peddling unfounded rumours across the state.
