Tension at Ojota as #EndBadGovernance protesters defy police order to confine inside Gani Fawehinmi Park

Protesters in the Ojota area of Lagos State have defied the order of the police to hold their demonstration inside the Gani Fawehinmi Park at the Ojota area of Lagos.

The protesters, chanting anti-government songs, argued that entering inside the park was akin to being restricted and caged. They insisted that it was their right to demonstrate and even hold a procession.

The protesters even decided to march to the seat of government in Alausa, but the Lagos State Police Commissioner appealed to them against making that move. He said thugs would be lurking around to hijack the protest. He promised to provide water and snacks to make the protesters comfortable until 4pm when they disperse.

As at the time of filing this report, the standoff still persists.

On Day one of the protest at Ojota in Lagos, some of the #EndBadGovernance protesters were allegedly assaulted by a team of RRS police operatives, according to a statement signed by Joint Action Front, PRP Vanguard, Yoruba Revolutionary Movement and seven other organizations.

The statement reads in part: “The unprovoked attack occurred around Oregun and saw to the arrest of 3 protesters and the violent assault on one other, Damilola Akinola, who is now hospitalized with a grievous head injury. Also two other protesters were arrested around Yaba on their way home.

“We are completely shocked about the sudden display of aggression by the police after the protest had held successfully and protesters were going home and despite repeated assurances by the Commissioner of Police and his men that the police would maintain professional conduct.”

The statement confirmed the release of the arrested protesters namely, Maduka Joshua, Michael Job and Opeyemi Owolabi after a spirited rescue effort launched by its team of lawyers led by Barrister Festus Ogun.