Police arrest, disperse Yoruba Nation protesters in Lagos

Security operatives have dispersed the Yoruba nation agitators who had gathered at the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos.

The agitators, numbering over 100, had stormed the Freedom Park waving ‘Oduduwa nation’ flags and banners and clamouring for a ‘sovereign’ state.

The police fired guns and tear gas canisters into the air and used water cannons to spray water at the crowd in an attempt to disperse them.

The police action came shortly after the Commissioner of Police Hakeem Odumosu addressed journalists at the park saying the police were there to ensure there was no “security breach” in the state.

“We are not saying you should not protests, we want you to send a detailed letter to the police stating the number and identities of the protesters. Also, the location should be in the letter,” he said.

Odumosu while speaking to journalists, stressed that Lagos State can not afford to record and experience the violence orchestrated by some individuals during the #EndSARS protest that led to destruction of properties in the state.

Odumosu reiterated his stance that anyone caught participating or facilitating the so-called mega rally in Lagos State will be dealt with within the ambits of the law.

Ojota venue of rally

Elsewhere at the Ojota venue of the Yoruba Nation rally, protesters were dispersed by police teargas as the gathering turned rowdy.

Police also sprayed water cannon on the protesters to forestall the breakdown of order.

There was heavy presence of security operatives including men of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and their vans at the venue of the protest.

Despite a warning from the police in Lagos against the rally, the organisers had vowed to proceed with the event.

Sunday Igboho, a pro-Yoruba self-determination campaigner and one of the organisers, also insisted the rally would go ahead despite the attack on his home by operatives of the State Security Service.

NP/Emmanuel Ukoh