Again, hoodlums attack Lagos #EndSARS protesters

Etim Ekpimah

Hoodlums in their hundreds were seen chasing #EndSARS/#EndSWAT protesters in Lagos around 7am on Thursday, when the protesters, who were around the Lagos State House of Assembly tried to barricade Lagos/Ibadan Expressway to prevent vehicular movement on the expressway.

The hoodlums, who were conveyed by minibuses, jumped out of the buses and began running in every direction and wielding dangerous weapons threatening to harm the protesters.
The situation led to pandemonium as the #EndSARS/EndSWAT protesters and passers-by ran helter-skelter across the roads and some into the secretariat.

One of the protesters, Seun Ojo, said the hoodlums were conveyed in minibuses and not on BRT busses as people had thought.

She said: “The hoodlums and street urchins came so coordinated with deadly weapons. I don’t think the hoodlums came on their own. The way I saw them, I believe they’re sponsored by some of these politicians to halt the protest.”

A twitter user @Fola94 and @tijanihabeeb says, “Plz note they did not come with BRT buses that guy was only trying to jump out of the bus cos of fear they came from ikosi axis I saw the. Urging there fellow thugs to cross over when I passed there this morning, leys not change the narrative and lose focus.”

Another twitter user, ReelsWithRihanot.. replying to @Fola94 and @TolueneM, says: “The government should be ashamed!

“We are protesting peacefully for better governance and they make it look like we are at war!”

But another youth, who identified himself simply as Uche, said the hoodlums and street urchins were conveyed in Lagos BRT busses to Alausa.

He said, “They came so coordinated with other deadly weapons … The Question is who is engaging them?? What is their business with peaceful protesters? Why are they disrupting the peace of those protesting peacefully?

But a statement from Primero Transport Services Limited denied any of its buses to be used by hoodlums to attack the protesters.

A statement which was not signed by the company on Thursday said Primero Transport Services Limited, a leading transportation and allied services provider and operator of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Lagos wishes to inform the general public that the BRT bus reported to have allegedly conveyed hoodlums that attacked protesters at Alausa, Ikeja today was not operated by Primero.

The statement added: “Lagosians should note that Primero TSL does not operate on Alausa Ikeja axis. None of our buses was used to convey thugs to Alausa. We currently operate on two BRT corridors across Lagos State-Ikorodu-TBS and Oshodip-Abule-Egba BRT corridors.

“The Lagos State Government Agency, LAMATA (Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority) gave BRT operation licenses to about four operators across the state. Primero is one of the four BRT operators in Lagos.

“We appeal to the youths to keep the protest peaceful across the state. We have the mandate of satisfying our commuters by providing convenient, affordable, and technology-driven services to Lagosians 24/7 every week.”

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has said it is ready to defend Nigeria’s democracy at all costs, warning troublemakers to stay away.

This was contained in a statement by the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, Sagir Musa, on Wednesday.

Youths have been protesting Police brutality, extra judicial killings, and extortions across the country.

“The Nigerian Army (NA) wishes to reassure law abiding citizens that it is highly committed to the sustenance of peace, security and defence of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

“As a responsible and law-abiding organisation, the NA reaffirms its unalloyed loyalty and commitment to the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria President Muhammadu Buhari and the constitution of the country.

“The NA hereby warns all subversive elements and troublemakers to desist from such acts as it remains highly committed to defend the country and her democracy at all costs.

“The NA is ready to fully support the civil authority in whatever capacity to maintain law and order and deal with any situation decisively. All officers and men are directed never to be distracted by anti-democratic forces and agents of disunity.”

It was, however, learnt that if the protests continue, Federal Government will come up with a decree banning large gatherings of people in the country.

A close-up of one of the thugs at the #AlausaProtest let this go viral!!! Social Media is our power.

He is said to be working for MC Oluomo Aunty Funke Baba Alado Lagos State Thugs Mushin Buratai LASG NURTW Obasa Army.