The Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the release of activists arrested at the Lekki Tollgate in Lagos on Sunday following their arrest while marking the fourth anniversary of the #EndSARS protest.

Spokesman of the Lagos State Police, SP Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed their release of the 18 arrested persons in a post to his verified X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday.

Hundeyin said the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olanrewaju Ishola was physically present to see to the freedom of the apprehended activists.

“All protesters in our custody have been released. CP Olanrewaju Ishola was on ground at the SCID to personally see to that.”

One of the arrested persons and a member of the Lagos State organising committee of the #EndBadGovernance Movement, Comrade Hassan Taiwo Soweto however accused the operatives of the state Police Command of brutality and sexual molestation.

Soweto said, “We have just been released after the Commissioner of Police came down to the Panti Police Station pleading hypocritically. The whole brutalisation, assault and arrest happened in his presence. He ordered it.

“Obviously the last has not been heard of this. Many of us were injured. One comrade had blood gushing from his nose. Two comrades, a male and female, were sexually molested. A male comrade was stripped naked – we had to find a rope to hold his trousers to preserve his dignity. Many are still in shock.

“I had my clothes torn by Officer Nnadi James at Panti police station. This violation of our rights and brutalisation on a day set aside to commemorate a brutal massacre 4 years ago cannot be tolerated. We want justice. We won’t stop until we have it,” he said.

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