Dare Babalola
No fewer than 18 individuals have been arrested by the Lagos State Police Command for allegedly hijacking an ongoing protest over a power outage in Tejuosho Market.
Announcing their arrest, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Babaseyi Oluseyi, in a statement he signed on Friday, described the suspects as “hoodlums and miscreants.”
He noted that the command thwarted a planned invasion of a commercial bank and restored peace to the bustling market after a violent disturbance.
He said, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Jimoh, reiterates that violent attacks on police personnel and destruction of property will not be tolerated.
“He hereby advises Lagosians to show utmost respect to the police personnel in the discharge of their responsibility of protecting lives and property.
“The incident, which took place around 2:30 p.m. this afternoon, began under the guise of a protest over a power outage. A group of individuals seized the opportunity to unleash violence, disrupting the peace of the market and attacking unsuspecting citizens.”
The police reports added, “The mob’s intentions escalated quickly as they turned their attention to a commercial bank within the market.”
The rioters were said to have attempted to gain entry into the bank but they met stiff resistance from the Mobile Police personnel who were on guard at the facility.
The police said the command promptly deployed additional police forces, including Anti-riot Squads and tactical teams to the scene.
The statement added, “The combined efforts of the police units successfully contained the situation, dispersed the violent crowd, and ensured the safety of the bank and its customers.
“The 18 suspects apprehended have been taken into police custody, and an investigation is currently underway to identify and arrest any other individuals involved in the attack.”
The Lagos State Police Command has urged residents to go about their daily activities in the market without fear, assuring the public that normalcy has been fully restored.
