By Abiola Olawale
There has been an outpour of outrage over the heavy deployment of armed policemen at the Lekki Tollgate, leading to mass arrests and crackdown on protesters, Saturday.
Policemen who had stormed the Lekki Plaza late Friday had arrested several dozens of protesters who showed up at the venue to kick against the reopening of the Plaza, following the order by the Lagos State Judicial Panel of Inquiry.
Earlier, a popular Instagram comedian, Debo Adebayo, also known as Mr Macaroni, and scores of other protesters were reportedly arrested by the police operatives at the early hours of Saturday.
Amidst the threat of violence, and excessive use of power by the security agencies, Nigerians including celebrities and popular activists have condemned the arrest and deriding of peaceful protesters.
Popular hip-hop musician, Femi Falana, also known as Falz, took to his Twitter handle to condemn the threat of force by the security agencies. He described the act as a “shameful behavior.”
In his words, “What is this shameful behaviour?! Citizens are peacefully protesting and you are arresting. How is this supposed to solve the problems that they have already caused ?! They are using this threat of force & violence because they expect that we would naturally fear for our lives, but the life we dey live no kuku get meaning before. The Nigerian government basically saying they do not want peace oh”
Similarly, popular Nollywood actress, Toke Makinwa who also reacted on her Twitter handle blamed the government for displaying lack of empathy towards the peaceful protesters at Lekki Tollgate.
In her words, “Nigerian government yet again shows its lack of empathy to its own people, we have a right to protest, it is “our” fundamental right to peacefully protest, why arrest anyone? Why oppress the citizens who want to be heard. A government constantly looking for how to make it’s citizens bleed, bad governance, police brutality, poverty, extortion, lack of Jobs, failed educational system, and the list is endless, what is our offense? Nigeria can really test you, Lagos state government you need the youth, @jidesanwoolu police arresting peaceful protesters that voted you in to office is a low blow, it is an abuse of our fundamental right to peacefully protest. A couple of days ago Obalende was on fire, who did you arrest? Where was the police???? This is so tiring, our tired is tired. #Freetheprotesters #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutality
Also, a popular Activist, Aisha Yesufu, said Nigerian have the constitutional rights to protest against any decision of the government they don’t like.
In her words, “The right to protest has always and will always be constitutional. The only way to stop a protest is to listen to the protesters and meet their demands. The terrorism by the Nigerian government had to stop. It seems that the Nigerian government does not realise that it has thrown its citizens into hell on earth and death is no longer a threat. When you make peaceful protests impossible then you make violent protests possible. Nigerians are not slaves and will never be slaves.That we decide to be law abiding is not a reason for government to take us for granted. We have seen the Nigerian govt turn to left over spaghetti in the presence of killer herdsmen, kidnappers, bandits, Boko Haram etc who decided not to be law abiding #LekkiTollGate #EndSars”
Nancy Isime, a Nollywood actress has also weighed in on the issue, stating that Justice is the only language that is understandable to the Nigerian Youths.
In her words, “All we seek is Justice for the #LekkiMassacre.. As we march at #Lekkitollgate today, justice will prevail and Christ Jesus will go with us. We’re not stopping until we #EndSARS and bad governance in NigeriaRaised fist”
Similarly, a popular Disk Jockey, DJ Switch has expressed her disappointed in the government and the security personnel.
In her words, “I am so angry at all I see, I want us all… Where ever we are, to speak up! In whatever way you can!!! Will update you all on what is happening on the 17th if all goes well. Like I said… I have chosen to fight, what do you want to do? #EndSARS #EndPoliceBrutalityinNigeria”
