Police take over Lekki toll gate to stop Peter Obi rally

The police in Lagos have taken over the Lekki toll gate, insisting that the planned rally by supporters of the Labour Party (LP) around the area on Saturday will not hold.

Policemen were seen heavily armed around the area on Friday, and have practically taken over the Lekki community.

Policemen from the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and the Task Force also carried out patrols along the Lekki-Epe Expressway and other parts of the neighbourhood.

Armoured personnel carriers, patrol vans and black maria have been deployed by the police to the Lekki toll gate.

RRS in a statement on Twitter said the action was in continuation of the routine convoy patrol of the metropolis as directed by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, Abiodun Alabi.

In continuation of its routine convoy patrol of the metropolis as directed by the Lagos Commissioner of Police, CP Abiodun Alabi, Commander RRS, CSP Olayinka Egbeyemi is presently leading RRS team and Lagos Taskforce on convoy patrol of the city.#TheGoodGuys pic.twitter.com/FBtaWM0yiP

— Lagos State Police Command II (@rrslagos767) September 30, 2022

The show of force by the police comes after a court ruled that the rally should not take place.

The toll gate has been a rallying point for protesters since security agencies allegedly opened fire on unarmed protesters on October 20, 2020.

The Lagos Police Command in a statement warned it would deal with individuals or group caught holding rally at the toll gate.

The police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin said: “A court of competent jurisdiction has ruled that no person is allowed to converge on the Lekki Toll gate for whatever reason.

“In conformity with its mandate to protect life and property, the Lagos State Police Command under the leadership of Abiodun Alabi, will leave no stone unturned in ensuring total compliance with the court order and an emplacement of adequate security in the state.

“While the Command is not averse to the peoples’ right to freedom of assembly and association; and expression, the Command will equally live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of human persons, especially under the guise of rally or procession.

“The warning therefore goes that anyone found flouting the court order or infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, CP Alabi enjoins all peace loving persons to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been strategically deployed to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians at designated rally venues and across the state at large.”