The operatives of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF), Lagos State command have arrested and brutalised some persons during a car procession ongoing at the Lekki tollgate in Lagos for the #EndSARS memorial, a year after Nigerians stormed the streets to protest against police brutality in the country.
Also, journalists have been harrassed and reportedly apprehended at the scene, but were later released.
A man who gave his name as Adedotun and identified himself as an Uber driver was seen being brutalised on TV by Lagos police officers at the Lekki toll gate area as he forcefully refused to be dragged into a waiting Black Maria. “I don’t know my offence,” he said as he wrestled with the policemen, who applied pepper spray to his right eye. Adedotun was eventually left alone following an outcry from protesters and members of the press covering the protest.
A journalist working with Arise TV, Adefemi Akinsanya said she had been harrassed by policemen, while trying to do her job. While reporting on TV, she said police also aimed at drones that were being used by her team to cover the protest around the Lekki toll gate. “We were harassed by the police this morning, the security services were not happy that we had drones flying. One of the security men pushed me just for having drones up here. We’re journalist and we’re being harassed for covering the situation.”
A car procession is currently holding at the Lekki tollgate. The procession which is being held is to mark the one-year anniversary of the #EndSARS protests.
Meanwhile, there is heavy presence of security operatives at strategic points in Lagos. About 30 police trucks and armed personnel are currently stationed at the tollgate amidst the ongoing #EndSARS Memorial parade.
Following the commencement of the procession, some persons were arrested by the security operatives and taken into a waiting truck of the Lagos State Task Force, but some of them were later released.
One of the arrested person who was shouting from the van identified himself to be a journalist. He added that his phone, driver’s license and other documents were taken away from him. The New Diplomat learnt he has now been released following the arrival of Lagos CP, Hakeem Odumosu at the scene. Odumosu would later apologise on behalf of his overzealous men.
Also, protesters have taken to the streets of Lagos and Abuja to commence on the planned car procession.
Popular Nigerian musician and actor, Folarin Falana, aka as Falz and Comedian Debo Adebayo, aka Mr Macaroni, alongside many others are currently at Lekki tollgate.
The activists turned up with their cars as planned and were seen waving the Nigerian flag and chanting solidarity songs.
Speaking on an Instagram live, Mr Macaroni lamented the security situation in the country. He accused the government for underperforming.
