THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has called on the Nigerian Police Force to release a journalist and other protesters who were arrested at the Lekki Tollgate today during the #EndSARS memorial protest.
In a statement via its official Twitter handle, SERAP called on the authorities to release those being held while noting that they had the right to protest.
The statement reads, “Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release two protesters including a journalist reportedly arrested this morning by the Lagos State Police Command at the Lekki tollgate where the #EndSARSMemorial protest is scheduled to hold. Protest is a right.”
Two protesters were reportedly arrested by security operatives at the tollgate where the #EndSARS Memorial Protest was staged.
One of those arrested claimed to be a journalist while the other was seen carrying a placard.
A car procession in honour of those believed to have lost their lives at the tollgate when soldiers dispersed #EndSARS protesters on October 20, 2020, held at the tollgate today.
The police had reportedly warned that anyone seen at the tollgate without an ID card will be arrested.
The arrested journalist told newsmen that he works with LegitTV and that his phone, driver’s license, and other documents were taken away from him.
Speaking from a Lagos State Task Force van where he was kept by the police, the journalist who identified himself as Abisola stated that he lost his ID card in transit.
About 30 police trucks and armed personnel are currently at the tollgate to enforce a ban on protests issued by the police command.
