The Lagos State Government has denied claims that it recruited and sponsored the thugs who attacked peaceful protesters calling for police reforms and an end to police brutality.
Some armed thugs on Thursday morning attacked youths protesting against the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Alausa.
The government refuted the claim in a statement by the State’s Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, stating that; “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports in the social media alleging that the government-sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest. This is untrue and wicked.
“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,” he said.
Omotoso also said that the Governor and his Deputy have been preaching peace, adding that Sanwo-Olu 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.
He further stated that the Governor visited the President to tender their five-point demand, while ensuring that all the protesters arrested by the police were released unconditionally.
The Commissioner, however, blamed enemies of the government he claimed are not happy that the state is not on fire for fueling the infernal lies that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack protesting youths.
He further explained that the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service Ltd. (LBSL) vehicle was conveying thugs was misunderstood.
According to him, “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.” he said
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised to address Lagosians on the crisis this evening.
