PHOTOS: Activists, journalists arrested over protest against petrol price hike

September 10

15:53 2020

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The Lagos state police command has arrested activists involved in a protest against the recent increase in petrol price and electricity tariff.

The protest began from Yaba, Tejuosho area of the state towards Ojuelegba, around 10am on Thursday.

The protesters carried placards conveying their displeasure against the government action.

“Petrol price hike is anti-masses; end deregulation; revert to N87 per litre,” one of the placards read; on another placard was written, “NLC and TUC should mobilise for general strike and mass protest.”

TheCable gathered that members of the state police command arrested 14 protesters during the demonstration.

It was also gathered that some journalists were arrested and their gadgets seized.

Speaking with TheCable, Ifeoluwa Adediran, a Premium Times correspondent who was also arrested, said 14 protesters were arrested as well as journalists.

Although the journalists were released before 2pm, Adediran said the 14 protesters are still in police custody.

“I was also arrested. They took us to Area C first, then moved down to the command in Ikeja, and now they are taking them (the protesters) to Oshodi,” she said.

“The protesters are 14 in number. They are taking them to Oshodi now.”

Reacting to the development in a statement, Dimeji Macaulay, national organising secretary of Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN), condemned the police action.

He identified some of those arrested as Dagga Tolar, Ayo Ademiluyi, Chinedu Bosah, Lexan Ali, Fidel Davynovich, Oluwole Engels, and Hassan Soweto.

“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,” the statement read.

“We demand a public apology from the police for this ridiculous and unprofessional action taken against our comrades, and we ask that proper disciplinary measures be taken on those security officers involved.

Arrested protesters in a police van

“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.”

TheCable could not reach Muyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos police public relations officer, as efforts made proved abortive.

Meanwhile, a total of 80 workers’ unions and civil society groups under the umbrella of Alliance on Surviving COVID-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) had said protests will be held across the country to express displeasure against hike in petrol price and electricity tariff.

Among the groups in ASCAB are the Trade Union Congress (TUC), Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), United Action for Democracy, Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre, and Journalists for Democratic Rights.

Others are Air Transport Services, Senior Staff Association of Nigeria, Amalgamated Union of Public Corporation, Civil Services Technical and Recreational Services Employees, and Civil Liberties Organisation.