Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested some protesters expressing their displeasure over the recent increase in petroleum price and electricity tariff and journalists reporting the protest in Lagos state.
The protesters were arrested around the Ojuelegba area of Lagos on Thursday, September 10.
According to ThePunch, apart from the protesters who were arrested, gadgets of journalists were seized.
Read Also: Breaking: Petrol Pump Price Increases From N143.80 To N151.56 Per Litre
One of the leaders of the protesters, Hassan Soweto, said 18 persons were arrested, including four journalists.
Soweto, who is the National Youth Leader of Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), stated;
We have just been arrested alongside several members of the Socialist Party of Nigeria and journalists for protesting this morning against fuel price hike, electricity tariff, and deregistration of SPN. I am typing this message at the back of a police van taking us to Area C, Police Command, Lagos.
In a statement, the National Organising Secretary of SPN, Dimeji Macaulay, identified some of those arrested as Christopher Harry, Abisoye Kosoko, Tunde Yusuf, Akande Abiola, Ayo Ademiluyi, Ifeanyi Onwunalu
Others arrested are: Davy Fidel, Dagga Tolar, Adetunji Gbenga, Usman Khadijat, Hassan Taiwo Soweto, Moshood Oshunfurewa, Taiwo Alao and Chinedu Bosah.
Read Also: Electricity Tariff Increase Takes Effect From Sept 1 – NERC
Macaulay said;
We condemn this attack as part of the continuous descent of the country into a brutish state of military repression. It is completely unacceptable, and we enjoin all Nigerians interested in preserving this country’s hard-earned democracy to condemn this emboldened descent into a civilian-military dictatorship.
National Organising Secretary of the party stressed;
We demand a public apology from the police for this ridiculous and unprofessional action taking against our comrades, and we ask that proper disciplinary measures be taken on those security officers involved.
It’s important for you to note that Demonstrations and protests are a global phenomenon and are a part of the development of any society.
The journalists arrested are Ifeoluwa Adediran of Premium Times, Abiodun Adeoba of SaharaReporters, Awoniyi Oluwatosin of Objectv Media, and Daniel Tanimu of Galaxy TV.
Watch a video of the arrest below;
Angry protesters confront police in Lagos as they express their anger over increase in fuel price.
Tinubu || Atiku || Buhari || Nigerians pic.twitter.com/dv7KMxFyRb
— Elevation News Today (@ElevationToday) September 10, 2020
