The Lagos State Government, through the Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE), in collaboration with the Lagos State Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD), has organised a Youth-Police Summit in Badagry Division aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence and strengthening mutual understanding between young people and the Nigeria Police Force.
Eko Hot News reports that the summit, held at the Area K Command along the Badagry Expressway, brought together government officials, law enforcement personnel, legal experts and youth leaders to address the longstanding trust deficit between the police and young citizens while highlighting the legal framework governing protests and law enforcement in Nigeria.
Delivering her opening address, the Director of the Lagos State Bureau of the Public Defender, Mrs. Olubunmi Adenike Adesomoju, underscored the importance of constructive engagement between youths and security agencies in sustaining peace, public safety and community development.
She explained that Section 214(1) of the 1999 Constitution recognises the Nigeria Police Force as the only constitutionally established police institution empowered to maintain law and order across the federation.
According to Adesomoju, although legislative efforts toward establishing state police have been approved by the National Assembly, the proposal is yet to become law as it still requires presidential assent and ratification.
She added that the Nigeria Police Force currently operates under existing legal frameworks, including the 1999 Constitution, the Nigeria Police Act 2020, the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015, and the Lagos State Administration of Criminal Justice Law (ACJL) 2021.
Speaking on the theme, “Protecting the Right to Protest While Ensuring Public Safety,” the Director of Citizens’ Rights, Mr. Emmanuel Oluyinka Akande, reaffirmed that peaceful protest remains a fundamental right guaranteed by both the Nigerian Constitution and international human rights instruments.
He noted that the primary responsibility of the police during peaceful demonstrations is to safeguard citizens’ rights while preventing violence and ensuring public safety.
Akande further explained that under both domestic legal principles and United Nations standards, the absence of prior notification to security agencies does not automatically render a peaceful protest unlawful, adding that citizens cannot be arrested solely for participating in peaceful assemblies.
He, however, noted that the Lagos State Government regulates public demonstrations through court-approved designated protest venues, including the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and the Peace Park in Ketu, as part of measures to maintain public order and minimise disruptions.
Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Olaiwola Fatai, the Area Commander of Area K Command, ACP Adeleke Smith, called on young people to shun criminal activities such as cultism, drug abuse, vandalism, rape and other forms of violence.
He encouraged youths to become ambassadors of peace by embracing dialogue, consultation and lawful civic engagement as effective means of resolving grievances instead of resorting to confrontation.
The summit formed part of the Lagos State Government’s continued efforts to strengthen civic participation, deepen public trust in law enforcement institutions and promote lasting peace across communities in the state.
