Mobile policemen deployed at the Admiralty Lekki Phase 1 Toll Gate in Lagos State have restored normalcy to the area following attempted eruption of violent protest.
A News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent monitoring the protest at the toll gate on Thursday, reports that some protesters had gathered in the area in spite of a court order restricting protest and banning protesters within the vicinity.
Protesters in Lagos defied a Lagos High Court order restricting protest to Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota, Lagos.2024,
The court had on July 31,
restricted protesters taking part in the nationwide protest to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park in Ojota and Peace Park in Ketu area of the state.
The court presided over by Justice Emmanuel Ogundare ordered the restriction following a pre-emptive exparte application filed by the state Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro.
The exparte sought to maintain and secure public safety and prevent irreparable loss of lives and property in the state during the period of the protests.
However, today, Thursday, 1st August, protesters gathered at the Lekki toll gate, displaying placards to express their grievances, wanting to forcefully take over the vicinity in defiance of the court’s order.
Also some protesters were at Ikeja under bridge near LASUTH.
Police personnel on ground at Lekki toll gate resisted the attempt to go violent and dispersed the protesters as the protest was becoming violent.
An Activist, and Member of Civil Society Organisation, Mr Kehinde Stevens told NAN that the protest had been peaceful and called on the protesters to maintain peaceful attitude in the course off the protest..
However, many shops, supermarkets, malls and banks in the area were closed for business while very few eateries including restaurants were opened to customers.
Protesters in Abuja also defied a court order as they marched to Eagle Square.
They carried placards with several inscriptions like ‘Hunger is enough,’ and ‘End bad governance in Nigeria’ among others.
Justice Sylvanus Oriji of the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja had on Wednesday restricted protesters in the August 1 demonstration to the MKO Abiola Stadium in the nation’s capital. He issued the order while delivering a ruling in an ex-parte application brought before him by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike.
But the angry demonstrators under the aegis of the ‘Take It Back Movement’ were seen marching towards Eagle Square.
They carried placards with several inscriptions like ‘Hunger is enough,’ and ‘End bad governance in Nigeria’ among others.
Earlier, they converged at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium in the nation’s capital.
Reports reaching People’s Forum indicated that hoodlums have taken over the protest in the FCT, blocking roads and extorting motorists.
Protests in Katsina State has gone violent as hoodlums loot properties and stormed Katsina Govt House.
Protest in Yobe State has gone violent with about seven buses already burnt In Yobe,
Curfew has been imposed in three Local Government Areas.
The protest in Ibadan was reported to be peaceful as two groups holding peaceful protests demanded for good governance.
Fear of gunmen forced residents to stay indoors in Anambra State as the state is peaceful.
Abia State residents also stay indoors as markets, banks, and institutions shut down.
Imo State is also peaceful as roads are deserted.
Report reaching our newsroom stated that Lagos police apprehend armed suspects in Mushin raid today.
Meanwhile, it was reported that
Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State was embarrassed by #EndBadGovernance protesters after offering money for “pure water” during their demonstration at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Addressing the demonstrators, Fubara expressed gratitude for their peaceful conduct and assured them that their grievances would be relayed to President Bola Tinubu.
“I thank you for being peaceful. I thank you forget coming. I feel your pain. I want to assure you that I will deliver your message to the President,” Fubara stated.
However, his attempt to placate the protesters by offering money for pure water was met with anger.
“I will give you a small thing for you to drink pure water,” he said, which provoked a strong reaction from the crowd.
In Niger State, the protest was reported to have gone violent with some casualties recorded.
Protesters went about the protest peacefully in Osun State as law enforcement agents followed them behind.
The protest went violent in Borno State as s.casualties have been reported.
More updates coming later. Stay with People’s Forum Online.