The Lagos State Police Command has denied firing live bullets at mourners and sympathisers of Mohbad, who gathered at the Lekki Tollgate on Thursday night.
It was stated that in a series of social media videos, scores of people were seen taking to their heels after teargas was released into the air.
Following the incident, some people were seriously injured and sent to the hospital.
The command spokesperson, Benjamin Hundeyin, said in a statement released on Friday that limited force was required to disperse mourners who had stopped the Lekki tollgate after attending the memorial at Muri Okunola Park.
According to him, the Police had already agreed with the Mohbad procession organisers that the Toll Gate would be off-limits.
Hundeyin added that no one was harmed or killed when the Police chose to use teargas after pleas from memorial organisers and the Police for those who stormed the tollgate to depart fell on deaf ears.
He further emphasised that the Commissioner of Police had warned miscreants that any individual or group of individuals found disturbing the peace of the state will be detained and prosecuted to the maximum extent of the law.
Concerning the continuing investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mohbad’s death, the Police requested the general public to avoid generating needless distractions and to provide the command with the stable internal security space needed to conduct a thorough and timely inquiry.
“The Lagos State Police Command is fully aware of false narratives making the rounds in relation to the dispersal of crowds at the Lekki Toll Gate yesterday, September 21, 2023,” the statement says.
“It is instructive to note that the Lagos State Police Command had an agreement with the organisers of the candlelight procession that the procession would end at Muri Okunola, Victoria Island, at the latest, at 8pm.” It was plainly stated for the avoidance of doubt that the Lekki Toll Gate will be a no-go area in the interest of all Lagosians and given the high use of the Lekki-Epe Motorway.
“It became disconcerting, however, that after the procession duly ended at Muri Okunola park as agreed, with the Police providing optimal security throughout, some persons began gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate with the intent to manifest objectives unrelated to the #justiceforMohbad initiative.”
“Because this was a clear violation of the agreement, the Lagos State Police Command invited the procession organisers to return and join the officers on the ground in convincing the people at the toll gate to disperse peacefully.” The organisers also put out messages on social media requesting everyone to go home, emphasising that it was not a protest but a march that had ended smoothly. This persuading and appeal lasted for hours, and the Police and organisers responded with defiance, both verbally and physically. At this moment, all lanes into and out of Lekki were completely closed. Vehicle movement on the ever-busy motorway has come to a complete halt, resulting in traffic congestion.
“Having been down this road before, learning from previous similar encounters, and studying the crowd pattern, the red flags and early warning signs of total chaos and anarchy were discernible.”
“As a result, following the failure of verbal persuasion, we adopted the least harmful method of crowd dispersal – the use of teargas – in order to fulfil our mandate to protect life and property, maintain law and order, and prevent crimes.” There was not a single round of live ammo discharged! In dealing with the unruly throng, the police used crowd control best practises. There were no fatalities or injuries.
“The Lagos State Police Command also thanks the procession organisers for remaining loyal to the Command and assures all supporters of #justiceforMohbad and Lagosians in general that the Command will continue to prioritise their safety and security at all times.”
