Security forces have fired teargas at protesters in Nigeria’s commercial capital Lagos Monday morning. The Revolution Now protests called for by activists had been expressly outlawed by the police who had described it as treasonable.
The forceful dispersal of protesters led to some scuffles that left a number of people bruised. Protesters were heard singing a famous revolutionary anthem about solidarity and fighting for their rights.
The arrest has elicited a wide range of condemnation on social media with people accusing the government of seeking to stifle dissent and the right to peaceful protest.
Sowore, the Presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the last general elections, was on Saturday arrested by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) from his home.
Police patrol vehicles, including that of the Rapid Respond Squad (RRS), numbering more than 20, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), anti-riot operatives, Civil defence men and military joint Taskforce operatives OP MESSA, were stationed at the two main entrances to the stadium.
As at 8.40 a.m few protesters, wearing orange caps, have started to converge under the stadium bridge, displaying neither banner nor placards,
The security operatives prevented employees of National Stadium, Students of National Institute for Sports (NIS) and members of the public whom had come to train, from gaining access into the stadium.
The Area Commander, Area C, ACP Tijani Fatai, said that the operatives were on ground to stop any form of protests at the stadium.
Fatai explained that they were not there to give security cover to protesters and advised the crowd already gathering in front of the National Stadium gate to stay away.
