Plank-wielding hoodlums dispersed protesters at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos on Sunday, disrupting a demonstration against poor governance.
The protest, which was part of a nationwide movement entering its fourth day, faced several challenges throughout the morning. At 10:30 am, organizers disagreed on whether to continue the demonstration.
A lawyer, identified only as JP, urged protesters to disperse, citing President Bola Tinubu’s recent address to the nation. However, another group led by 70-year-old Adegboyega Adeniji of Peace Action Transformation insisted on maintaining their presence.
Police officers attempted to mediate, encouraging the small group of remaining protesters to leave. Shortly after, a group of individuals, whom protesters claimed were sponsored, arrived to disperse the crowd.
By 11:30 am, hoodlums returned in force, wielding planks of various sizes. They chased the protesters away, prompting law enforcement to occupy the demonstration grounds.
Before the disruption, protesters had been chanting solidarity songs following President Tinubu’s national address. One demonstrator stated, “The President has not addressed core issues raised by us despite touching on efforts by his administration.”
Earlier in the day, security agents had restricted the protesters to the designated area at Gani Fawehinmi Park, preventing them from holding a procession beyond the park’s boundaries. The protesters initially complied without argument.
The ongoing demonstrations, which began four days ago, have been met with resistance from law enforcement. On previous days, police used tear gas to disperse crowds, drawing condemnation from civil society organizations.
