Police arrest anti-fuel, electricity hike protesters in Lagos

Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command on Thursday arrested protesters who expressed their displeasure over the recent increase in petroleum price and electricity tariff.
The arrest took place around the Ojuelegba area of Lagos.

One of the leaders of the protesters, Hassan Soweto, told the Punch Newspaper that 18 persons were arrested, including four journalists.

“We have just been arrested alongside several members of the Socialist Party of Nigeria and journalists for protesting this morning against fuel price hike, electricity tariff, and deregistration of SPN. I am typing this message at the back of a police van taking us to Area C, Police Command, Lagos,” Soweto, who is the National Youth Leader of SPN, said.

In a statement, the National Organising Secretary of SPN, Dimeji Macaulay, identified some of those arrested as Dagga Tolar, Ayo Ademiluyi, Chinedu Bosah, Lexan Ali, Fidel Davynovich, Oluwole Engels, Soweto, and eight others.

He said, “We condemn this attack as part of the continuous descent of the country into a brutish state of military repression. It is completely unacceptable, and we enjoin all Nigerians interested in preserving this country’s hard-earned democracy to condemn this emboldened descent into a civilian-military dictatorship.

“We demand a public apology from the police for this ridiculous and unprofessional action taking against our comrades, and we ask that proper disciplinary measures be taken on those security officers involved.

“It’s important for you to note that Demonstrations and protests are a global phenomenon and are a part of the development of any society.”