Hoodlums attacked #EndBadGovernance protesters gathered around Gani Fawehinmi Park in the Ojota area of Lagos State on Sunday morning. The question on everyone’s mind, who sent these troublemakers? We all know, but let’s keep it quiet.
The Drama Unfolds
At 10:30 am, a heated disagreement started among the protest organizers. A lawyer known only as JP advised the protesters to disperse, citing President Bola Tinubu’s recent address to the nation. However, another faction, led by 70-year-old Adegboyega Adeniji of Peace Action Transformation, insisted on staying put until further notice.
The police, ever so helpful, stepped in to ‘negotiate’ with the protesters, urging them to leave the premises. But just as the dust seemed to settle, a group that the protesters claimed was sponsored (by who, you ask? Let’s not pretend we don’t know) came from the other side of the road to break up the gathering.
Hoodlums Take Over
By 11:30 am, the scene turned violent as the hoodlums returned with a vengeance, chasing away all the protesters in Ojota. The police, now occupying the protest grounds, seemed to have no trouble taking control once the protesters were gone.
Before the hostile takeover, the protesters had been chanting solidarity songs in response to President Tinubu’s address. Despite the President’s speech, the protesters argued that he had failed to address the core issues they raised, merely glossing over their concerns with vague promises.
Security Clampdown
Earlier in the morning, security agents had prevented the protesters from marching beyond the designated area at Gani Fawehinmi Park. The protesters, perhaps hoping to avoid a confrontation, complied and stayed within the restricted zone.
As the nationwide protests against hunger and economic hardship entered their fourth day, the pattern of police using tear gas to disperse protesters continued. Civil society organizations condemned the police’s actions, but their voices seemed to fall on deaf ears.
The Bigger Picture
Meanwhile, in other states, the momentum of the protests has fizzled out. Life has returned to normal, with activities resuming as if the demonstrations had never happened.
The disruption of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Lagos was more orchestrated than spontaneous. The sudden appearance of hoodlums, the swift police intervention, and the dispersal of protesters all point to a well-coordinated effort to silence the protest. President Tinubu’s address did little to pacify the protesters, who rightly pointed out that the important issues of hunger and economic hardship remain unaddressed.
