Crackdown By Nigerian Police, Killing Of Peaceful Yoruba Nation Agitators During Rally Illegal, Callous, Condemnable – Lawyer

Tope Temokun, a lawyer and human rights activist has condemned the alleged killing of two protesters in Lagos State by some personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.

There was reported violence in the Ojota area of Lagos on Monday as some members of Yoruba Nation agitators held a rally in the area.

A Twitter user, YorubaGlobalYouth, shared a picture of a lifeless man and a video reportedly captured during the riot.

The user captioned the multimedia elements as follows: “BREAKING NEWS! TWO PEOPLE HAVE BEEN REPORTED KILLED BY THE NIGERIAN POLICE AT THE YORUBA NATION OJOTA PEACEFUL MEGA RALLY TODAY 9TH JANUARY, 2023. IT WAS MEANT TO BE PEACEFUL!!!”

It was reported that the Yoruba Nation agitators had planned to hold a mega rally at Ojota for their self-determination struggle but in the course of the protest, there ensued a clash between police and the protesters during which two persons were reportedly killed by the police.

Reacting in a statement, Temokun described the alleged action by policemen as callous, illegal and condemnable.

The lawyer insisted that it is the duty of the police to protest peaceful protesters and not kill them.

The lawyer said, “Needless to say again that the resort to violence by Nigerian police against peaceful Yoruba Nation protesters at Ojota, Lagos today which has allegedly resulted in the killing of two unarmed citizens is callous, barbaric, illegal and this must stand condemned by all men of conscience in this country.

“It was observed early this morning that the protest at Ojota, Lagos was non-violent until the law enforcement agents invited in by the government descended on the protesters with bullets and batons, in their usual characteristic manner.  We have said oftentimes that these are highly reckless tactics that all civilized nations have dropped behind in their evolutionary history.

“Nigerian governments at all levels need to respect the life of the citizen and ensure there is adherence to the rule of law in their responses to agitations by citizens.

“Right to protest peacefully is a right donated by the constitution to the citizens and the Police and even the government do not have the powers to take what the constitution has given the citizens. There is no food in this country and the citizens are hungry. There is no job. There is no good road. There is no health insurance or assurance. There is no security.

“The only thing Nigerian citizens can truly claim to have today is their right to expression and right to protest and once the government react to the exercise of these rights with bullets, then there is nothing left for the citizens to hold on to as their own dividend in a supposed democracy.

“It is the duty of the police to guard peaceful protesters and not to kill them. The killing of Yoruba Nation agitators at Ojota, Lagos today is highly condemnable and stands condemned. We call on the government to order the release of those arrested in the course of the protest. It is further demanded that official investigation be carried out on the alleged killings that took place today and those responsible be brought to book.”

-sahara reporters