YORUBA NATION: How Lagos rally started amid strong security, turned bloody, as girl killed

 

The suppression of yesterday’s Yoruba Nation rally by security agents in Lagos has attracted knocks from socio-cultural groups, who accused the Federal Government of muzzling freedom of expression.

They were particularly angered by the dispersal of protesters with tear gas, water cannons, and the death of a 14-year-old street trader after the police allegedly fired shots.

The deceased, who was simply identified as Jumoke, was said to have been hit in the back while running when the police started firing into the air.   

However, the police denied the allegation, describing it as a ploy to create confusion and fear. 

Denial 

Spokesman for Lagos State Police Command, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said: “The Command hereby wishes to debunk the rumour and state categorically that it’s a calculated attempt to create confusion and fear in the minds of the good people of Lagos State and the country at large.

“The Command did not fire a single live bullet at Ojota rally today. The said corpse was found wrapped and abandoned at a distance, far from Ojota venue of the rally, behind MRS Filling Station, inward Maryland, on the other side of the venue, with dried blood stains suggesting that the corpse is not fresh.

“After a close look at the corpse, a wound suspectedly sustained from a sharp object was seen on it.”

As early as 8 am, security agents had barricaded the Gani Fawehimi Freedom Park, the venue of the protest.

Armed policemen took over the major roads at Ojota, leading to traffic gridlock.   

They were also seen searching vehicles coming into Lagos through Ojota.

Their presence didn’t deter the agitators, who came out in large numbers for the self-determination rally.

The placard-bearing protesters were dispersed by the police after which they regrouped for another round.

Traditionalists

This time, they were led by female and male traditionalists who were in white attire.

As the ladies approached the venue of the rally, they first solicited the cooperation of the policemen before they proceeded but were denied access.

As the protesters proceeded from the Gani Fawehimi Freedom Park, inward Ojota chanting Oodua Nation solidarity slogans, they were stopped by security agents at a roadblock mounted by the police.   

One of the leaders of the procession, Olasupo Ojo, who dressed like a white cap chief, engaged in a conversation with men of the Nigeria Police Force.

He was heard telling the police that agitators were simply holding a peaceful rally for Yoruba Nation. He added that they were not going beyond the area. Midway into the conversation, there was pandemonium as people scampered for safety following the firing of what sounded like several shots and tear gas

Trouble started after Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu, addressed journalists at the venue, saying “no rally is allowed in Lagos.”

The area was earlier calm as people were seen going about their businesses devoid of any chaos amid the heavy presence of security operatives.

Motorists and other road users were advised to ply alternative routes to avoid being trapped in the traffic as a result of road blockade, especially along Ikorodu Road.

Odumosu, led the police team on patrol while Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps,NSCDC, Lagos State Commandant, Eweka Okoro, led the corps around strategic areas to prevent any form of gathering by organisers of the rally.

Conspicuously absent were the major organizers of the event, Sunday Adeyemo aka Sunday Igboho and Prof Banji Akintoye, who vowed to convene the gathering despite warnings by the police and Lagos State government.

Igboho’s absence may not be unconnected to a manhunt launched for him by the Department of State Security Services, DDS, after the raid on his house last Thursday.   

The rally was earlier called off after the incident, but the organisers later insisted it would hold as scheduled. This is irrespective of warnings by the police and a show of force held last Friday in Lagos.