Nigeria Police, Other Security Forces Provide Security for Protesters
Olufemi Orunsola
As protesters under the aegis of the Take-It-Back movement and other civil liberty organizations took to the streets in Lagos, and Abuja, to march against what they described as bad governance and attacks on free speech in the country on Monday, the Nigeria Police and other security forces have provided security for the protesters.
The protesters, joined by several civil society groups, gathered at the Ikeja under-bridge by 9:30 a.m., from where they marched through Obafemi Awolowo Way chanting solidarity songs and slogans such as “We are hungry! What are we saying?” drawing attention from onlookers and passersby.
Escorted by officers of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the demonstrators marched towards the Lagos State House of Assembly.
However, they were stopped from entering the premises by a team of police officers led by a senior police officer, Tijani Fatai.
“We can’t allow you to go inside for security reasons, but we can protect you here,” Mr Fatai told the protesters.
OTN News reports as gathered that the protests took place simultaneously in Oyo, Oyo, Rivers and some other states as well Abuja on Monday.
However. while addressing journalists at the scene, the National Coordinator of the Take-It-Back movement, Juwon Sanyaolu condemned the action, saying it violated their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
“The police are stopping us from accessing the assembly complex, which is supposed to be the people’s house,” Mr Sanyaolu said. “This is a violation of our rights to movement, assembly, and protest.”
Mr Sanyaolu described the protest as a “warning action,” adding that more coordinated and widespread demonstrations would follow if the government did not act on their demands.
He called for the immediate release of protesters allegedly arrested and dispersed violently in other parts of the country, including Abuja, Yobe, Gombe, and Rivers States.
Stating their grievances, “We want the federal government to repeal the Cybercrime Act, lift the emergency rule in Rivers State, stop the demolition of houses in Lagos communities like Oworonshoki, and halt the ongoing trial of #EndSARS protesters accused of treason."
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