Security operatives arrest 30 #RevolutionNow protesters, brutalise Punch’s photojournalist

Etim Ekpimah

Security operatives arrested over 30 #RevolutionNow members, who protested bad governance on Thursday in Lagos.

Hundreds of the protesters were seen on Lagos streets before gathering at Ojota, where they moved to Maryland and other areas of Lagos State, chanting solidarity songs.

Prior to the protest, the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, on Wednesday warned against any unlawful assemblies which include rallies or protests in the state on October 1.

Odumosu read the riot act during a security meeting with the Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers and Heads of Department at the conference room, State Headquarters, GRA, Ikeja on Wednesday.

While Odumosu announced the cancellation by the Lagos State Government of the ceremonial parade to commemorate the Nigeria’s 60th Independence Anniversary, he warned that the command will not allow any gatherings, rallies or protests against the sovereignty of Nigeria in the state.

Before the protest, the Coalition for Revolution otherwise known as #RevolutionNow had in a statement called on President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), to resign.

A protester, Agba Jalingo, said, “We are tired of Buhari and we want to tell the whole world that we are tired. Even with all the police mobilisation, we are here to show them our determination to confront this government.

“We are not going to be afraid of them. We will protest regardless of what they do. Nigerians are tired of bearing the burden that Buhari keeps piling on us, they must reverse the increase in fuel price, end ASUU strike.

“These harsh policies that have bored a burdensome hole into the pockets of the Nigerian people are coming at a time when citizens are recovering from the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis that was also mismanaged by the Buhari government, plunging already struggling citizens into deeper financial problems.

“It also comes at a time when there is an unprecedented dictatorial-style crackdown on free speech, dissent, activism, journalism, and the right to associate and congregate peacefully and protest.”

The protest also rocked Ibadan over alleged oppressive rule of the President Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)-led administration.

The youths, who are members of the #RevolutionNow and other groups, stated that Nigerians were suffering more than before despite the Buhari’s promises during his electioneering.

The protesters were forced to change the venue of their protest to a filling station along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway as armed policemen took over Iwo Road, which they had planned to use for the protest.

They gathered at the filling station from where they eventually took off.

About 10 police cars and patrol vans were stationed at around Under Bridge, Iwo Road while major streets in Ibadan were also filled with police to forestall any protests in the city.

The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of South-West had on Wednesday said the police would not allow any procession on October 1.

However, the protesting youths said the police might have blocked them from using the popular space, they could not stop them from making known their displeasure on how the country was being managed.

The Chairman of #Revolutionnow in Oyo State, Rotimi Ogunlana, said the hardship, insecurity, massive corruption among government appointees had become unbearable for Nigerians.

 “Nigeria is not working. At 60, we are worse than how we started, and the government doesn’t want us to complain. Many Nigerians cannot eat more than once a day.

“Things are getting worse and that is why we have to come out and let them know that they can’t stop us. They prioritise their comfort above the basic needs of the majority,” he said.

A photojournalist with The Punch, Kayode Jaiyeola was brutalised on Thursday by the operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

He was said to have been attacked by heavily armed policemen while covering the October 1 protest in Lagos State.