FG Sends Strong Warning, Reveals What It Plans To Do To #OccupyLekki Protesters
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Feb 11, 2021
The federal government of Nigeria has warned that it will not allow any fresh protest at Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Saturday by #EndSARS protesters.
READ ALSO: Davido Neglected Me In My Time Of Need But Donated N250m To Orphanages - Baba Fryo
The government in a press statement on Thursday by the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed warned that security operatives have been directed to crush any protest.
READ ALSO: I'm Running For President In 2027; Tinubu Spent 23 Days Abroad In January -
Mohammed noted that government already has intelligence reports that some people want to hijack the protest to cause violence, and security operatives have been put on alert to prevent such action that could destabilize the peace of the country.
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
He added that while protests are constitutionally allowed, they must be done within the provisions of the law and the law does not allow protest to be done at toll gates.
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
He also added that most of those backing the protest are not even in Nigeria but want to use their selfish interests to negatively affect the country.
The Minister said: "As you may be aware, some EndSARS proponents have given notice of their plan to return to Lagos - Lekki Toll Gate to be specific - on Saturday, February 13th 2021."
"The "Occupy Lekki Toll Gate" flyers have been circulating online, with the proponents threatening that "Lagos will burn" again.
"Let me be clear: While peaceful protests are the constitutional rights of Nigerians, violent protests are not. At this time, the chances that any peaceful protest will be hijacked are very high."
READ ALSO: Enyimba Economic City: Project team, Community clash leaves one dead
"Based on the intelligence at the disposal of the Federal Government, some Nigerian activists have linked up with others outside Nigeria, including subversive elements, with a view to destabilizing the country. We cannot and must not allow this to happen."
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
"However, any further resort to violence in the name of #EndSARS will not be tolerated this time.
"The security agents are ready for any eventuality. A situation in which six soldiers and 37 policemen were murdered in cold blood by hoodlums will not repeat itself.
READ ALSO: Why Senate Issued Arrest Warrant Against Julius Berger?
"The attack, looting, and razing of 269 private and public property will not happen again. The killing of 57 civilians will not be re-enacted."
"No government anywhere will allow a repeat of the kind of destruction, killing and maiming wrought by the hijackers of #EndSARS protests last year.
READ ALSO: Davido Neglected Me In My Time Of Need But Donated N250m To Orphanages - Baba Fryo
"After all, only one policeman - (plus four others) - was killed in the invasion of the US Capitol in January, yet the FBI has continued to hunt down and prosecute the perpetrators. No life is more important than the other."
READ ALSO: I'm Running For President In 2027; Tinubu Spent 23 Days Abroad In January -
He added: "We therefore strongly warn those who are planning to re-occupy Lekki Toll Gate on Saturday to desist.
READ ALSO: Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
" We know that many of those who have been loudest on social media in advertising the plan to reconvene in Lagos on Saturday are not even in Nigeria.
READ ALSO: I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
"They are elsewhere around the world fanning the embers of violence and inciting gullible people back home. No one should fall for their antics."
Meanwhile, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has revealed why the federal government is yet to unfreeze bank accounts of 20 #EndSARS protesters.
Recall that the order to freeze the bank accounts linked with some promoters of the #EndSARS protest was on Wednesday set aside by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
In a ruling on Wednesday, Justice Ahmed Mohammed ordered all concerned banks to immediately unfreeze the affected accounts.
READ ALSO: Enyimba Economic City: Project team, Community clash leaves one dead
The presiding judge said the ruling follows the withdrawal of all processes filed in relation to the suit by lawyers to all parties.
READ ALSO: Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Justice Mohammed proceeded to strike out the suit filed by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, and in respect of which the ex-parte order freezing the accounts for 180 days was made on November 4, 2020.
But speaking on Sunrise Daily, a Channels TV programme on Thursday, Malami explained that the federal government is yet to comply with the court judgment because it is still weighing options as allowed by the law on such matters.
Related Stories
REVEALED: How All Progressives Congress (APC) Played Into The Opposition Hands Ahead Of 2027 - Sumner Sambo Warns
I Will Not Allow Criminality As President, Peter Obi Declares
Why El-Rufai Was Returned To ICPC Custody?
Sowore's Miscalculation and the Need to beat a Wise Retreat
Tinubu Breaks Silence on Hardship, Inflation, Power Crisis - Vows Nigeria Will Overcome Economic Storm
"Terrorists Have Outgunned Our Troops" - Ndume Raises Alarm Over Boko Haram War, Sends Urgent Message To Tinubu
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi