Police in Lagos on Thursday arrested some residents protesting the recent increase in petroleum price and electricity tariff by the Federal Government.
The protesters were arrested around the Ojuelegba , Surulere area of Lagos.
Policemen also seized the gadgets of some journalists who covered the protest.
One of the leaders of the protesters, Hassan Soweto, claimed that 18 persons, including four journalists were arrested by the police.
“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.
National Organising Secretary of SPN, Dimeji Macaulay, in a statement, identified some of those arrested as Dagga Tolar, Ayo Ademiluyi, Chinedu Bosah, Lexan Ali, Fidel Davynovich, Oluwole Engels, Soweto, and eight others.
The SPN statement read, “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 taken 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.”
Lagos Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, could not be reached for comments.
Adejobi’s phone was “busy” as of the time of this report.
