The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, has ordered the immediate release of 35 people arrested today at the #OccupyLekkiTollGate protest.
It was gathered that the police boss asked the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the Area J Police Command Elemoro, Ibeju Lekki area of the state to release the protesters immediately.
Naija News had reported that operatives of the Police Command arrested over 18 protesters for protesting against the re-opening of the Lekki Toll Gate.
Confirming the arrest, one of the coordinators of the protest, Kunle Ajayi, told the PUNCH that the youths were arrested and are about to be taken to an unknown location.
“Police have just arrested 10 protesters – Four ladies and six guys. They were beaten mercilessly and injured,” he said.
In a video, one of the arrested protesters said, “We have been arrested. Over 10 of us. We are kept in a Black Maria stationed at the toll gate now.”
The Nigerian police, federal and Lagos state governments have been criticized for arresting, assaulting, and dehumanizing the peaceful protesters.
