Police in Lagos yesterday fired teargas at hundreds of protestors marching against the presence of troops in the city in the aftermath of national strike and demonstrations over petrol subsidy removal. �
Yesterday?s protest was organised by some eminent personalities, among them legal luminary Prof. Ben Nwabueze, former presidential hopeful Tunji Braithwaite, former Finance minister Kalu Idika Kalu and Muslim leader Sheikh Abdulrahman Amad.�
The organisers and other people who participated in the demonstration were attacked by the police and in the process one protester fainted from inhaling tear gas.
Troops deployed heavily on Monday in Lagos after President Goodluck Jonathan was forced into a partial climbdown over fuel prices by nationwide strikes that threatened to shut down oil production.
Troops and tanks have since been stationed in parts of the country and sealed off the main protest ground in Lagos.
Yesterday?s protests, organised by the Citizens Advocacy Group, were led by Braithwaite, alongside a host of other respected Nigerians, including renowned lawyer Festus Keyamo, activist Tunji Abayomi, Nike Ransome Kuti, Funmi Iyanda, Mr Wale Okunniyi, Yemi Adamolekun, Kola Oyeneyin, Prof Tony Kila, Mr Wale Ogunade and Dr Wale Balogun.
?As elders, we are totally against the military siege in Lagos. This is a democracy. They should be withdrawn immediately? Braithwaite told the protesters before the march.
Protesters trekked towards the Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota where soldiers were stationed.
The procession was disrupted at 7up bus stop while protesters were trying to join the link road to Ojota. Police barricaded the access road and fired tear gas canisters to disperse the demonstrators.
A protester, identified as Nelson Ekujumi of ?June 12 Coalition? fainted in a stampede that ensued.
?(This) is a threat to liberty. What has just happened was a peaceful expression of people?s pain. Government shouldn?t have asked the policemen to fire canisters at us,? Braithwaite said.
After the march was dispersed, just about half a kilometre from the rally ground, the protesters regrouped and began moving back towards the Lagos State House of Assembly.
?We don?t want any human casualties. These enemies of democracy, these enemies of progress are bent on making any otherwise peaceful protest a violent one by indiscriminately firing tear gas at a group defenceless people,? said the 75-year-old Braithwaite.
Lagos state deputy speaker Kolawole Taiwo told the protesters earlier that ?the occupation of Lagos by soldiers... is unconstitutional, it is unacceptable. Lagos is not at war.?
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