The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has paraded 49 suspects arrested during the Oodua Republic demonstration around the Gani Fawehimi Freedom park of the state on Saturday.
Speaking at the command headquarters on Sunday, Odumosu said the suspects were arrested for violating the ban that no rally or gathering should hold in the state.
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He said, “The press briefing is on what happened yesterday during the Oodua Republic Mega Rally. The Lagos State Government and the police command kicked against any rally of any kind in the state due to the unfavourable intelligence gathered about the rally.
“We advised the demonstrators to steer clear of Lagos State due to the fact that it could not afford another loss that was incurred during the #Endsars.
“Yesterday, some people came to foment trouble in the state during the rally and the command arrested 49 suspects during the rally. The suspects would be handed to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Panti, Yaba, for discreet investigation and prosecution.”
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Some of the suspects were said to have come from outside Lagos. As of yesterday, owners of some of the vehicles impounded contacted the command from Oyo state, informing them that the vehicle in question was leased to the arrested suspects.
He, however, clarified that as much as the Police respect and protect the rights of every citizen in the state, they would not fold their hands to allow any group of persons to truncate the peace being enjoyed in Lagos state.
The suspects, according to him, would be handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, Yaba, for discreet investigation and possible prosecution.
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However, when one of the suspects identified himself as leader of the Ogboni confraternity, Kabiyesi Tajudeen Olarewaju alias Ajamajebi denied participating in the rally.
According to him,” I am an Ogboni king. We went for worship in Surulere on Friday night. I had more than 2000 followers that worshipped with me. We started from 11 pm on Friday to Saturday at 5 am.
“I had to sleep because I was going to drive. By 10.30 am on Saturday, we left Surulere for Ikorodu. I was to pick one of my drivers at 7up. As I alighted at Ojota, some policemen stopped me. When I introduced myself, they said I should go. But they stopped me again and arrested me. There were six people inside my jeep ”.
Asked if any weapon was found in his car, he shook his head”.
See photos below:
©ControlTV2021.
