Heavy security as tolling resumes at Lekki-Ikoyi bridge

 

Heavy security as tolling resumes at Lekki-Ikoyi bridge 


Police officers patrolling Lagos State. File photo

There is heavy security at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge on Friday ahead of the resumption of toll payment on the bridge.

The PUNCH gathered that no fewer than five security vehicles and many policemen have been stationed on the bridge.

The Lekki Concession Company had announced that it would resume
toll operations at the Lekki-Ikoyi Link Bridge from April 15, 2022.

This is coming about 19 months after tolling was suspended at the
bridge following the aftermath of protests against police brutality and
extrajudicial killings in Lagos State in October 2020.

The Managing Director of the LCC, Yomi Omomuwasan, who announced the
plan, had said the resumption of tolling at the bridge is coming after
extensive consultations with, and support of key stakeholders including
the Residents’ Associations, Traditional Rulers, Community Leaders,
professional bodies as well as the Lagos State Government.

But the announcement was met with resistance from youths and residents who vowed to protest against tolling.

Subsequently, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Abiodun
Alabi, warned against protest over the reopening of the Lekki toll
plaza.

He gave the warning in a statement titled, ‘Lekki tollgate protest:
Breakdown of law and order will not be tolerated – CP Alabi’, by the
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin.

The statement read, “This assurance has become imperative following
news making the rounds that some Nigerians are planning to protest at
the Lekki Toll-gate, an action capable of grounding commercial
activities and obstructing the free flow of traffic.

“While the Command is not averse to the peoples’ right to freedom
of assembly and association; and expression, the Command will equally
live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is
allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others,
especially the rights to freedom of movement and right to dignity of
human persons.

“CP Alabi, therefore, warns all intending protesters that anyone
found infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in
accordance with the law.

“Meanwhile, CP Alabi once again enjoins all peace-loving
Lagosians to go about their lawful duties without fear of harassment or
intimidation, reiterating that adequate security assets have been
strategically deployed to ensure their safety and security.” 

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