Men of the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) and the Nigerian Army on Monday dispersed members of the #RevolutionNow movement who converged on the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, on Monday, to begin their planned protest.
The Cable reports that the protesters had gathered at the stadium at about, only to meet policemen at the entrance of the stadium, and some soldiers on standby.
Narrating the incident, Eliaz Ozikpu, one of the protesters, said “we were standing here, while they watched us from the other side. Suddenly, they moved on us and said we can’t talk to the press. We weren’t even talking to the press yet. We were addressing ourselves,” he said.
The protesters, however, started chanting calling for the release of Omoyele Sowore, convener of the movement who was arrested Saturday by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS).
But the police fired teargas and shot into the air to disperse the protesters, while also arresting some of them.
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Speaking to newsmen, one of the policemen explained that, “we have a standing order from the IGP, not even the CP in Lagos can stop us,” he said.
Peter Afunaya, spokesman of the DSS, had told reporters in Abuja on Sunday that Sowore was arrested because he “crossed lines”.
“Sowore has as a matter of fact threatened the peaceful co-existence and social harmony of Nigeria, there is apprehension, there is anxiety, citizens and residents are worried as to what will happen next. We want to use this opportunity to assure law-abiding Nigerians, friends of Nigeria, and citizens of the world, that come tomorrow (today) 5th August 2019, there will be absolute peace in Nigeria, nothing will happen,” he had said.
“There won’t be any revolution, the government that has been elected democratically will be in place, there will not be any forceful takeover of government and the DSS will not stand idly by and watch self serving people take laws into their hands.”