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Lagos lifts #EndSARS curfew as commission orders police back to streets
BY NICHOLAS ABE
The Lagos State Government says the curfew imposed by the governor after hoodlums hijacked the peaceful #EndSARS protest to unleash terror on the state has now been completely removed.
The curfew was initially for 24 hours then eased for between 6pm-8am and further adjusted for between 8pm-6am and subsequently 10pm-6am.
However, the Federal Government imposed curfew on state with regard to mitigating the spread of coronavirus remains 12am to 4am.
A statement issued Saturday by the state on its Twitter handle to this effect reads: “The curfew imposed on Lagos State after the hijack of the peaceful #EndSARS protests has been lifted immediately. The 12am to 4am. curfew imposed by the Federal Government to curb the spread of COVID-19 remains.
“Lagosians are free to go about their businesses without any hindrance whatsoever. Security agencies will continue to discharge their duties. Lagosians are urged to cooperate with them to maintain the status of our state as one of the most peaceful. #LASG #ForAGreaterLagos
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“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu thanks security agencies for their efforts in restoring peace to our troubled communities. He commends Lagosians for observing the curfew and ensuring the return of normalcy.
“The Governor urges the citizenry not to do or encourage any action that may turn back the clock, but to keep living in harmony as we get set to rebuild our dear State and strengthen the unity that we are known for.”
Meanwhile, the Police Service Commission has frowned at the refusal of some policemen to return to their duty posts following the killing of about 22 cops during the violence that broke out in the aftermath of the #EndSARS protests across the country.
The PSC said Public Service Rules, which also applies to members of the Nigeria Police Force, prescribes dismissal for any officer that deserted his job, while admonishing them to put the killing of their colleagues behind them.
The PSC stressed that policemen did not deserve to be killed and should in fact be protected as fellow human beings, but it however noted that the attack on them by hoodlums should not be an excuse for them to stay away from work.
PSC spokesperson, Mr Ikechukwu Ani, said the attacks on the police were not good for the country “because when you make Nigeria lawless and ungovernable, there would be a situation nobody would be able to control.”