No fewer than 12 persons were arrested by security forces,
with some others sustaining various degrees of injuries as police fired live
ammunition, and teargas at protesters, during the ‘RevolutionNow’ protest which
began on Monday in Lagos.
Not to be deterred by the onslaught, the organisers of the
‘RevolutionNow’ protest have vowed to continue their peaceful demonstration on
Tuesday, August 6
After regrouping to reassess the situation, the organisers
comprising members of a coalition of different civil society bodies condemned
police’s action of shooting live bullets at the crowd.
Notwithstanding, they insisted that they would converge on
the Freedom Park in Ojota on Tuesday.
The protesters had converged on National Stadium at exactly
7am where they kickstarted the ‘RevolutionNow’ march to press in their demands
for a better Nigeria, and the release of their lead convener, the presidential
candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) Omoyele Sowore.
Sowole was arrested by men from the Department of State
Security Service (DSS) last weekend from his residence in Lagos.
The protesters were to just about kick-starting when they
were accosted by the police at Surulere under bridge at about 8:30am.
Acting on orders, the policemen upon sighting protesters,
began to shoot sporadically in the air and even fired few shots of live
ammunition at the protesters.
Although that made them scamper, they soon regrouped only to
be dispersed again with balls of tear gas sprayed generously into the crowd.
The police also arrested about 12 persons, including a
self-acclaimed journalist who had no means of identification.
Speaking with journalists, one of the Lagos leaders of the
‘RevolutionNow’ movement, Beckley Kofoworola, said: “I don’t understand what is
going on in Nigeria.
“We are all exercising our human rights and then the
government of the day seems not to understand what democracy is all about. For
no reason at all they are firing live ammunition at armless citizens who are
carrying out a civic right as allowed by the Nigerian constitution.
“All of the people who people protesting here this morning
were unarmed as you can see, but the next thing we saw was the police officers
who started shooting at and beating us up. They have arrested not less than 12
protesters so far.
“We have taken some of us who sustained gun injuries for
treatment. Thank God no life was lost. Some others sustained various degrees of
injuries as they were running for safety as well. Some of us are still here
hanging around to encourage others to remain resolute and join us in demanding
for a better country.”
One of the protesters who was shot on the leg, identified by
journalists as Ridwan Ajayi is currently receiving treatment in a private
hospital in Lagos.
Reacting to the protest and the subsequent repelling by
security forces, one of the protesters who was simply identified as Peoples’ Defender
described it as lunacy on demonstration.
He said: “How do we describe the uncivilised action of
Nigeria Police this morning other than demonstration of lunacy or craziness as
Fela put it.
“Shooting life bullets at unarmed civilians exercising their
inalienable right to freely express themselves.
I narrowly escaped when a bullet was targeted at our midst.
“They later resorted to shooting teargas as decoy to claim
they used it to disperse the people.
The policemen went to the extent of chasing people passing
by into communities within Shitta roundabout while shooting sporadically.
“The police should be reminded that people can not be
deterred from fighting for their legitimate rights through coercion.
“The police enjoys improved welfare as a result of struggles
of organisations like DSM, UAD and many. We participated actively in the
struggle even before the formation of Movement for Improved Welfare for Nigeria
Police Force.
“It is saddening that the police is now working against the
interest of the masses. Can we remind the police that 1999 Constitution of
Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended is very clear; that any officer or rank
and that obeys an unlawful order goes for it.
“Shooting life bullets at unarmed civilians and pursuing
people into communities and shooting teargas sporadically are unlawful orders.
“Pregnant women and the children in their homes were not
part of the protests and their lives should not be put in jeopardy.
“Those of us leading the peaceful protest are not deterred and no matter the
threat, we can not be coerced to surrender. Nigeria is our country and no
government can hold us to ransom.”
Ayò Bánkólé said: “Countless citizens massacred by herdsmen,
their leader threatened violence over RUGA, nothing. But government suddenly
blazes arms at Sowore, a publisher with no guns nor army. I regret ever
aligning my thoughts in 2015, with the frauds defending this killer government
today!”
Dj Muth said: “Enough is enough! Is it a crime to be a
Nigerian or what? For once people of this country should join hands together
and stop this reign of tyranny permanently.”
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