Police confirm heightened security at Lagos assembly, deny restricting journalists

The Lagos State Police Command has refuted reports suggesting that access to the Lagos State House of Assembly has been restricted.

In a statement issued on Monday via X, the command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, clarified that while security measures have been strengthened around the assembly complex, journalists and individuals with legitimate business are allowed entry.

“The Lagos State Police Command wishes to debunk news making the rounds that the police has restricted entry into the Lagos State House of Assembly,” the statement read.

According to Hundeyin, the state Commissioner of Police, Olohundare Jimoh, ordered the deployment of security personnel and operational resources to the assembly complex to maintain order and prevent potential disturbances.

“To forestall breakdown of law and order, CP Olohundare Jimoh ordered the proactive deployment of human and operational resources to the House of Assembly.

“This is also to ensure water-tight security and prevent miscreants and thugs from causing mayhem,” he explained.

He further stated that while security has been tightened, there is no outright restriction of movement into the complex.

“For clarification, entry is allowed into the Assembly complex for journalists and every other person with genuine business to carry out there,” he assured.

Hundeyin also noted that vehicular traffic around the assembly has been diverted as part of the security strategy to maintain control over the area’s security architecture.

“Furthermore, part of the measures employed is diversion of vehicular traffic around the assembly complex. This is necessary to ensure firm grip and control over the security architecture,” he said.

Reiterating the command’s position, Hundeyin emphasised that security measures were taken to prevent any potential disruption within the Assembly and its surroundings.

“For emphasis, there is no restriction of movement into the Lagos State House of Assembly, and the diversion of traffic was proactively emplaced to forestall breakdown of law and order in the Assembly and its environs,” he added.