There have been multiple gunshots and deployment of tear gas canisters at the National stadium, Surulere, Lagos by Police and soldiers in an attempt to stop the ‘revolutionnow’ protests.
Revolution now was convened by Sahara reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore who has since been arrested by the DSS.
The protest which was set to start today was however interrupted by the authorities who were ready to curb any gathering.
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The protesters, who arrived at the stadium around 7am on Monday, for the kick-off of the protest met a detachment of policemen at the entrance of the stadium.
Eliaz Ozikpu, one of the protesters told said that he was discussing the protest plans with others when security operatives crossed over the road to meet them.
“We were standing here, while they watched us from the other side. Suddenly, they moved on us and said we can’t talk to the press. We weren’t even talking to the press yet. We were addressing ourselves,” he said.
Some protesters were also arrested following the deployment of tear gas and warning shots.
A policeman, who spoke off the record, told TheCable that Mohammed Adamu, the inspector-general of police, ordered that the protesters should be dispersed.
“We have a standing order from the IGP, not even the CP in Lagos can stop us,” he said.
Peter Afunaya, spokesman of the DSS, had told reporters in Abuja on Sunday that Sowore was arrested because he “crossed lines”.
“Sowore has as a matter of fact threatened the peaceful co-existence and social harmony of Nigeria, there is apprehension, there is anxiety, citizens and residents are worried as to what will happen next. We want to use this opportunity to assure law-abiding Nigerians, friends of Nigeria, and citizens of the world, that come tomorrow (today) 5th August 2019, there will be absolute peace in Nigeria, nothing will happen,” he had said.
“There won’t be any revolution, the government that has been elected democratically will be in place, there will not be any forceful takeover of government and the DSS will not stand idly by and watch self serving people take laws into their hands.”
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#RevolutionNow: Gunshots as Police, soldiers chase protesters away from Lagos stadium#MondayMotivation #RevolutionIsNow #FreeOmoyeleSowore #Freesoworenow #mufc #Dybala #Phantom9Experience #NescafeGetStarted
— Dockaysworld (@Dockaysworld) August 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/dockaysworld/status/1158335590909304832?s=21
Gunshots as Police throw tear gas canisters to chase #RevolutionNow protesters away from Lagos stadium pic.twitter.com/4eW4Ozoccq
— Dockaysworld (@Dockaysworld) August 5, 2019
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