The Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, claims that officers only fired teargas at hoodlums at the Lekki Toll-Gate and not #EndSARSMemorial protesters.

The officers who arrived at the venue of the protest in large numbers on Wednesday morning fired teargas canisters, brutalised and arrested several other protesters at the venue.

But Mr Odumosu, who addressed journalists, claimed that those present after 10:00 a.m. were hoodlums, as “activists had informed us that their activity will start by 8:00 a.m. and last till 10:00 a.m.”

“They had an agreement with us that they will be having a car procession, which they are done with and have left,” the police boss said.

He claimed the activists informed the police that other persons seen at the venue after the stipulated time were not part of them. Mr Odumosu also said the “hoodlums” were out for destruction and to steal, adding that dangerous materials were found in their possession.

“They told us that they finished their activity around 10:00 a.m., adding that whoever was found still hanging around is not part of them,” Mr Odumosu maintained.

“Those you can see around now are hoodlums who want to steal and cause destruction. We found knives, cutlasses and other dangerous materials in their(hoodlums) possession.

“Those cannot be protesters but hoodlums, and that is why they were chased away so that peaceful citizens can go about their lawful businesses.”

The Gazette had also reported how officers fired teargas canisters into moving commuter buses in Lagos.?

Earlier, a young man Adedotun Clement who identified himself as an Uber driver was brutalised by the officers.

A video of the moment captured by Arise TV saw the officers manhandle and pepper-spray Mr Clement as they tried to force him into a police van.