Police disperse protesters at Lekki tollgate

Mobile policemen deployed at the Admiralty Lekki Phase 1 Toll Gate in Lagos State have restored normalcy to the area following an attempted eruption of violent protest.

A NAN correspondent who monitored the protest at the toll gate on Thursday, reports that some protesters had gathered in the area despite a court order restricting protest and banning protesters within the vicinity.

A Lagos High Court had on July 31, 2024, restricted protesters taking part in the nationwide protest to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu area of the state.

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The court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare ordered the restriction following a pre-emptive exparte application filed by Lawal Pedro, the Lagos State attorney-general and commissioner for justice.

The exparte sought to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the state during the period of the protests.

However, on Thursday, protesters gathered at the toll gate, displaying placards to express their grievances, wanting to forcefully take over the vicinity in defiance of the court’s order.

NAN reports that the Police personnel on the ground resisted the attempt and dispersed the protesters as the protest was becoming violent.

Kehinde Stevens, an activist and member of a civil society organisation, told NAN that the protest had been peaceful and called on the protesters to maintain a peaceful attitude in the course of the protest.

“So far, there has been law and order across board and I commend protesters who came out to express their grievances for maintaining a peaceful atmosphere so far.

“I pray that the leadership listens to the masses at this challenging time of our country, “he said.

The protest in Lekki Phase 1 was peaceful as people were seen going about their businesses without any molestation.

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However, many shops, supermarkets, malls and banks in the area were closed for business while very few eateries including restaurants were open to customers.

A customer, who simply identified herself as Pat, in one of the eateries told NAN that the protest was peaceful and appealed to the government to address the challenges,’’ she said.