Police release detained Lagos Oct. 1 protesters on bail, hand them over to Sowore

Protesters arrested at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park at Ojota, Lagos, on October 1 have been granted bail, according to the State Police Command’s spokesman, SP. Benjamin Hundeyin.

Hundeyin, in a statement released on Friday, said the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Olanrewaju Ishola, gave the directive during the visit of social activist, Omoyele Sowore, to his office at the command headquarters in Ikeja.

The protesters granted bail are Funmi Robert, Sunday Obasoro, Sikiru Adeagbo, Babatunde Oyeleye, Akin Okunowo, Dare Toyin, Adebayo Shobogun, Michael Adeleke, and Stanley Akonye.

The statement said: “In the spirit of camaraderie and bolstering trust between the police and civil society organizations, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Olanrewaju Ishola, has directed that the persons arrested at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park on October 2, 2024, for causing a breach of public peace under the guise of protesting, be granted bail with immediate effect.

“The CP gave the directive today during the visit of Comrade Omoyele Sowore to his office at the Command Headquarters, Ikeja.”

Hundeyin added that arrested persons were immediately handed over to Sowore.

Persecondnews recalls that on Tuesday, protesters gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park to mark the country’s 64th Independence Day.

The protest was monitored by security personnel, including policemen, officials of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).

However, police rounded up certain individuals who regrouped at the park on Wednesday, citing concerns over potential unrest.

In response to the arrests, the police command issued a statement distinguishing the detainees as troublemakers masquerading as protesters rather than legitimate demonstrators.