Benjamin Omoike l Monday, April 27, 2020
LAGOS, Nigeria – A group of protesters in Lagos on Monday attacked some police officers, allegedly leaving at least five of them injured in the process. The protest against the security agents, which turned bloody, occurred in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of the state.
Some youths in the community had a face-off with police officers whom they accused of bias in enforcing the Coronavirus lockdown in the community.
Bala Elkana, police spokesperson in the state, who confirmed the development, said 51 protesters were arrested, following police reinforcement.
One of the residents, who chose anonymity, said while residents and other company workers in the community were forced to stay in their houses, expatriates working with Dangote Refinery were allowed to go to their places of work.
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He added that the youths in the area burnt tyres on the streets to express their anger over the alleged bias. The protest went bloody after the arrival of police officers, as the protesters resisted “intimidation.” Mr Elkana said the protesters had been dispersed and normalcy restored in the community.
He said the protesters injured five police officers and vandalised two outposts. The military have also been deployed to help maintain normalcy in Eleko, Ibeju-Lekki. At the moment, reports say people are allowed to walk in the community only with their hands raised up.
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It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari had ordered total lockdown of Lagos, Ogun and Abuja in the last four weeks. Residents have been through a roller coaster of emotions, including reported surge in robbery cases in Lagos.
As it is now, it is not yet clear whether the president will relax or extend the lockdown in his nationwide address scheduled for Monday evening.
