Men of the Lagos command of the Nigerian police force have arrested about 164 displaced residents of the demolished Otode-Gbame community, in Lekki for staging a protest at the Lagos state government House in Ikeja
> Inside sources gathered that the protesters which include five females and a pregnant woman were arrested after passing the night at the entrance to the state government house protesting the unlawful demolition of their riverine community at the Lekki area of the state.
One of the protesters Emmanuel Mustapha who escaped been arrested disclosed that they decided to pass the night at the entrance to the governor’s office since they had no shelter thinking their action would yield a positive response from the governor.
According to Mustapha, the police strike them at about 12 am after switching off the street lights, beat the women and then arrest the men at the scene.
The Lagos state Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Olarinde Famous-Cole while confirming the incident said the protesters were arrested for constituting security threat to the seat of power.
Cole while briefing newsmen on the arrests said “they were disturbing the peace of the area, we understand that they are demanding for something from the government. We had pacified them to leave but they did not leave.”
