The police in Lagos have arrested several protesters who were marching in Lagos in protest against the increase in fuel price and electricity tariff.
The protesters were arrested around the Ojuelegba area of Lagos on Thursday.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that four journalists, who were covering the protest, were also arrested.
The protest was organised by the Socialist Party of Nigeria; the group is demanding a reversal in the actions of the government.
Some of the arrested protesters include Dagga Tolar, SPN NEC member; Chinedu Bosah, SPN National Secretary; Hassan Taiwo Soweto, SPN National Youth Leader, and 11 others.
The arrested journalists are Ifeoluwa Adediran of Premiumtimes, Abiodun Ayeoba of Sahara Reporters; Awoniyi Oluwatosin of ObjecTV media, and Daniel Tanimu of Galaxy TV whose camera was seized.
While some of the journalists’ phones were also seized.
In a statement, the National Organising Secretary of SPN, Dimeji Macaulay, identified and confirmed 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.”