Suspected armed thugs have set ablaze buildings inside Ajeromi Local Government in Lagos State.

The LG’s Chief Press Secretary, Sheriff Fakunle, confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

When contacted at 01.13pm, Fakunle said the attack was ongoing in the council.

He said, “As I am talking to you, my local government is invaded by armed thugs. Properties worth millions of naira have been vandalised. Some of these hoodlums are entering into offices, carting away properties. Buildings are burnt, cars are burnt, these boys are looting everywhere in the secretariat.”

Earlier, Layeni Police Station at Ifelodun Local Council Development Area of Lagos State was set on fire by suspected hoodlums.

Suspected hoodlums also burnt down the Orile Iganmu Police Station in Lagos State.

Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command has banned protests in the state.

This was contained in a press statement by the Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, on Tuesday.

The police ban is coming a few hours after the Lagos State Government imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state.

Before the declaration of curfew, at least two police stations were burnt in Lagos State by hoodlums.

The statement read in part, “Due to the new development of violent attacks on police officers and men and formations including innocent Nigerians in Lagos State, and the 24-hour curfew imposed by the Lagos State Government with effect from 4pm today October 20; the Lagos State Police Command wishes to inform the public that henceforth no protest or gathering or possession, undIer whatever guise, is permitted within Lagos State.

“In light of the above, all security agencies have deployed adequate personnel to take charge and enforce the curfew across the state.

“The command regrets to confirm the setting ablaze of Orile Police State today at about 10am, where some of our policemen were critically injured and unconfirmed reports state that one of them is dead.”

The PPRO regretted that the #ENDSARS protests have been hijacked by hoodlums.

“It’s crystal clear that the #ENDSARS protest has been hijacked by hoodlums who want to run down the state and the police command will resist such state of anarchy, unrest and brouhaha with all powers within the ambit of the law.

“While the command is resolute in the sustenance of human rights and democratic tenets, the public is hereby warned to comply with the curfew and desist from any act of violence in the state as the command will resist such in totality,” he added.

By Sodiq Oyeleke