Heavy Security Mounted As Police Block-Off Thousands Of Youths Protesting At The Lekki Toll Gate.
Humiliation and Police brutality against the youths on Saturday morning reappeared as Police were seen bundling suspected protesters and their leaders into waiting black trucks, known as Black Maria at the tollgate.
Big Posters Sent to motivate the youths protest
About 20 suspected protesters have been arrested and detained by men of the Nigerian Police Force, who have mounted heavy security barriers to dissuade protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate, the venue of last October carnage.
At least 10 youths carrying out a peaceful protest were killed by Military men dispatched to the arena late in the night last October, as the protests were holding.
The military had used the dark night to engage in sporadic shootings which resulted in the death of innocent youths. The situation had created the youths to tag the venue as ‘The Gate Of Blood, Gate Of Hell’
The Nigeria youths have organised the Saturday protest following recommendations by a judicial panel of inquiry that the Toll gate, after several youths were killed last October following similar protest against Police brutality) should reopen. The youth however have kicked against the reopening claiming it was too early as the pains of the relatives of those who lost their lives during the last protests are not being taken into consideration.
The youth activists had called for new protests to register the youth disenchantments over the inquiry recommendations.
#EndSARS protests against police brutality and governance brought Lagos, Africa’s largest city with supports from the generality of the public including high-profile celebrities. SARS is an acronym for Special Anti Robbery Squad and the security department allegedly had abused the department to rob, main and extort the citizenry. Many innocent people have disappeared after having brawls with the officers.
Humiliation and Police brutality against the youths on Saturday morning reappeared as Police were seen bundling suspected protesters and their leaders into waiting black trucks, known as Black Maria at the tollgate.
Hundreds of officer from the Rapid Response Squad were deployed to the scene on Friday evening, taking positions.
“Lekki tollgate should be made a museum of resistance and not a monument for money making,” said Damilare Adebola, 24, who spoke from the police van where he was being held, told French News Agency, AFP.
The Police exercise had shielded-off the protesters heavily armed and teargas guns are all over the Toll Gates being brandished by Police officers.
However, there traffic flows as normal but no traffic is being allowed to stop or pick up anyone. Several youths passing-by were seen chanting “End SARS” as they walked pass.
One young protester in a red T-shirt managed to sprint away from police chasing him.
Nigeria’s government this week had warned against holding new protests at Lekki, saying the rallies could descend into violence in the name of justice.
“We are calling on all Nigerian authorities to demonstrate commitment to protect the right to peaceful protest,” watchdog Amnesty International said on Twitter.
The original #EndSARS protests, named after the SARS police force accused of abuses, spread even after the unit was disbanded and the government promised reforms.
The demonstrations ended abruptly after the shooting in Lagos and a wave of looting and unrest that followed.
An investigation into last year’s violence at Lekki has stalled with representatives of the armed forces failing to appear before the panel.
Security forces say they only used blank rounds to break up protesters who had defied a curfew, though Amnesty International said soldiers shot dead at least 10 people.
Additional reporting: AFP
