The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has revealed the identities of police officers suspected to have fired live ammunition at peaceful protesters in Area C Police Command in Surulere, Lagos.
Sanwo-Olu gave the names of the erring officers to include Inspector Bagou Michael, Inspector Ekpoudom Etop, Sergeant Nnamdi Majura, and Sergeant Akinyemi Benson.
Apart from the police brutality and harassment that occurred during the protest, 55-year-old Ikechukwu Iloamauzor was killed by a stray bullet.
The governor disclosed that the four officers have since been arrested in connection with the incidence and are currently undergoing an orderly room trial.
Sanwo-Olu said his government frowned at police misconduct seriously and would continue to respect the rights of the citizens to demonstrate peacefully.
The governor condemned in strong terms the violence that marred the #EndSARS protest in Surulere on Monday.
The governor said, “Also, to mention that Lagos State is taking the issue of police misconduct very seriously, earlier this week, we all recall the incident that happened at the Area C command in Surulere.
All the four officers have been identified and are going through an orderly trial.
“We have also set up a panel to look into all cases of police brutality and fatality and have set up a N200m compensation fund. Once again, I apologise to any protester that has faced brutality during any of the protests days.
“There were express instructions to Police in Lagos to cooperate with protesters and in situations where arrests are unavoidable, there must be full transparency and upholding of their legal rights.
“If there is anyone still in custody, please bring it to my notice. Today’s unfortunate incident of thuggery is being investigated and we will bring to book those behind it.
“Even as we affirm the constitutional rights of all protesters to peacefully make your grievances known, it is also our duty as a government to ensure that the exercise of a set of rights by one group of people does not in any way constrain the rights of any other group of people.”
