Operatives of the Lagos Police Command on Sunday arrested 10 suspected Yoruba Nation agitators over unlawful assembly.
The police also dismantled a protest camp set up by the agitators at Alausa in Ikeja ahead of the planned nationwide anti-Buhari disturbance billed to commence February 6.
According to The Nation, a flier with notice of the protest surfaced on the social media calling on all Nigerians against the lingering cash crunch and fuel scarcity to join the “Buhari Must Go” protest in all major cities.
Although unsigned, the information was however greeted by mixed reactions with those against it accusing the government of plans to stop the general elections billed to hold in two weeks.
It was gathered that the agitators had stormed Alausa with cooking wares, tents, generators, bread and other food items in order to set up their base there.
According to police sources, there were intelligence reports that the group planned to use the location as their base from where they would lunch massive protest and ground activities in the state.
Unfortunately for them, security operatives were swiftly deployed and the camp dismantled.
Confirming the incident, spokesman for the command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin told The Nation that 10 of the suspects were arrested and we’re currently being interrogated.
He said the command would not condone any form of lawlessness anywhere in the state.
Warning against any form of violence, the Force Public Relations Officer (FPPRO), CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, said it was clear that miscreants with criminal agenda were those behind the looting and other crimes being committed ij the guise of protest against fuel and naira scarcity.
He said: “We condemn the violent protests we have recorded so far. It’s crystal clear that these were orchestrated by hoodlums who had their targets of robbing banks’ ATM, looting shopping malls, shops, stealing from persons, etc, not peaceful protest as claimed.
“How does protest against fuel and naira scarcity affect innocent drivers, sellers, market women, and even the police, who were victims of attacks from the so-called “peaceful” protesters? In ibadan, they went to set ablaze a station, for what?
“Anyway, we will not allow any lawlessness or breakdown of law and order in any part of the country. No way. So, we want to urge well-meaning Nigerians to be patient, law abiding, and maintain decorum in whatever they do so that the long arm of the won’t catch them. Thanks.”
