The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, said the state did not sponsor armed thugs to attack protesters in the Alausa area of the state.
This was contained in a statement titled, ‘Lagos will never encourage thuggery’.
Some armed thugs on Thursday morning attacked youths protesting against police brutality and extortion in the state.
The statement also noted that Sanwo-Olu would be addressing the protesters on Thursday evening.
The statement read in part, “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to some unverified reports in the social media alleging that the government-sponsored thugs to disrupt the #EndSARS protest. This is untrue and wicked.
“Such wild allegations were obviously concocted by enemies of peace and orderliness to whip up sentiments against the government, which has been doing everything possible to resolve the crisis by identifying with our youths in their efforts towards police reforms.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu will this evening address Lagosians on the crisis.
“The enemies of progress who are not happy that Lagos is not on fire are the ones fueling the infernal lies that the government was sponsoring thugs to attack our protesting youths. They have been posting on the social media pictures suggesting that a Lagos Bus Service vehicle was conveying thugs.
The bus in question was on its normal operation when it ran into a group of protesters. The passengers, who felt endangered, rushed out of the bus. They returned to continue their journey after the charging crowd had left.
“As a government, we will never encourage thuggery or any act of violence that may put the lives and businesses of Lagosians at risk. We are strongly committed to ensuring that our youths, who have taken to the streets to air their views, are well protected.”
