Lagos State Police Command has arrested 40 persons at Lekki Toll Gate Plaza for alleged conspiracy, conduct likely to cause a breach of peace and violation of COVID-19 protocols.
This was disclosed in a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, on Saturday, February 13, 2021.
A planned protest had been scheduled for the day at Lekki Toll Gate against the opening of the Admiralty Toll Gate.
Adejobi said that the persons were arrested after allegedly creating tension by gathering at the Lekki Toll Gate plaza and acting in a manner that could cause a breach of public peace.
The protesters were also said to have been without nose masks and did not maintain social distance, which was seen as a disregard for COVID-19 protocols.
Further, in its bid to curb the spread of the pandemic, the PPRO also stated that the command arrested 76 persons at about 1a.m., same day, for going against the protocols at a birthday party.
The police image-maker said that the Divisional Police Officer, Maroko Division, had led his team on enforcement of COVID-19 protocol, and the announced curfew between 12 midnight and 4a.m., when he got wind of the gathering at Lavender court, Jakande Close, Oniru, Victoria Island.
Among the 40 persons arrested at the party were Popoola Michael, Adeyemo Opyemi, Ramon Salami, Kareem Akeem and Balogun Nurudeen.
The DPO also impounded 136 vehicles, for breaking the curfew rule on the island and some parts of Lekki.
Adejobi, however, disclosed that the owners of the vehicles had been charged to the Mobile Court, Oshodi, where they were fined appropriately.
He added that the command arraigned the COVID-19 protocol rule violators to mobile court at Panti, Yaba, on same Friday.
After they were granted bail, the violators were told to appear in court on March 2 with the certificate of COVID-19 test.
Assuring the public that it would always discharge its statutory duties as expected within the ambit of the law, the command appealed to Lagos residents to be law-abiding and go about their lawful businesses.