The Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday paraded 146 suspects in connection with a recent outbreak of unrest in Sagamu, including a violent protest and an attack on a health facility.
The suspects were presented at the Sagamu Divisional Police Headquarters, where the Police Public Relations Officer, Oluseyi Babaseyi, said many of those arrested were commercial motorcycle operators accused of unlawfully blocking the Oba Erinwole GRA Road on April 7, disrupting traffic and endangering lives.
Babaseyi, who addressed journalists alongside the Divisional Police Officer, Fred Ode, his deputy Markus Wantana, and the Vice Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Isiaka Salami, condemned the protest, describing it as unlawful despite the grievances expressed by participants.
According to him, the protest escalated into violence, with demonstrators reportedly attacking a health facility and preventing patients from accessing care.
He questioned the rationale behind targeting a medical centre, noting that healthcare workers and patients had no connection to the protesters’ demands.
The police spokesman urged aggrieved groups to seek redress through lawful and established channels rather than resorting to self-help.“There are recognised avenues for complaints.
The local government secretariat and liaison structures are accessible, but these were not utilised,” he said.
Babaseyi disclosed that 10 key suspects had earlier been arrested and arraigned in court over the incident.
He further revealed that the latest arrests followed an intelligence-driven raid carried out in the early hours of April 13 by operatives of the Sagamu Area Command in collaboration with other security agencies and community stakeholders.
The joint operation involved personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, the military, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps, Ogun State Community Security (So-Safe) Corps, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria.
“All suspects are currently undergoing screening.
Those found culpable will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department, Abeokuta, for further investigation and prosecution,” he added.
Quoting the Commissioner of Police, Bode Ojajuni, Babaseyi warned criminal elements to desist from actions capable of undermining public peace, stressing that the command is fully prepared to tackle any form of lawlessness.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining “Operation Keep Sagamu Safe” through proactive policing and community collaboration.
While acknowledging the constitutional right to protest, Babaseyi emphasised that such rights must be exercised within the bounds of the law.
“You must understand that your right ends where another person’s begins,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of Sagamu Local Government, Isiaka Salami, commended the swift intervention of security agencies, noting that their prompt response helped avert a potential breakdown of law and order.
He described Sagamu as a volatile area and said the timely action prevented the situation from escalating into a wider crisis.
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