The Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso has come out to say that no #SARSMustEndNow protester was killed in the state yesterday.

He recently revealed that media reports saying otherwise are simply spreading news that are very false.

According to him, hoodlums hijacked the protest and killed 3 officers, one of them, Insp. Erinfolami Ayodeji, unfortunately, died.

He added that Lagosians should make sure their peaceful protests do not create a platform for hoodlums to carry out their evil plans because it will only result in violence.

His words, “The attention of the Lagos State Government has been drawn to reports that an #EndSARS protester was killed in Surulere. This is not true.”

“The hoodlums, while escaping fired into the air and a bystander was hit, sadly, he also died.”

“Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu commiserates with the families, who lost their loved ones and prays that God will strengthen them.

“Sanwo-Olu urges all those concerned to ensure that these protests do not degenerate further and create room for hoodlums who do not mean well for our society.”

What do you think?

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) is a Nigerian Police Force unit under the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department headed by the Deputy Inspector General of Police Anthony Ogbizi. Since 2012, SARS has come under controversy for being linked to acts of extortion, torture, framing and blackmail.

The Special Anti-Robbery Squad was founded in 1992 by former police commissioner Simeon Danladi Midenda. The major reason SARS was formed was when Col. Rindam, a Nigerian Army Colonel was killed by police officers at a checkpoint in Lagos.

SARS is one of the 14 units in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department which was established to detain, investigate and prosecute people involved in crimes like armed robbery, kidnapping and other forms of crimes.

During its formation the Special Anti-Robbery Squad was known to operate covertly. SARS operatives were not allowed to wear police uniform, publicly carry guns or have walkie-talkies. They were given unmarked vehicles with sometimes no license plates or private plate numbers during duty.