A peaceful protest at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos State, was violently disrupted by hoodlums on Sunday, marking the fourth day of demonstrations.
The protest, which had started without incident, saw tensions escalate around 10:30 a.m. when a lawyer, identified only as JP, urged the crowd to disperse, referencing President Bola Tinubu’s recent national address.
However, a group led by 70-year-old Adegboyega Adeniji of Peace Action Transformation insisted on continuing the protest.
The situation worsened when a group of individuals, alleged by protesters to have been hired to cause chaos, emerged from across the street.
They began chasing the demonstrators away, creating a scene of panic and disorder. By 11:30 a.m., these hoodlums had forced all protesters out of the park.
The police intervened, attempting to manage the situation and urging the remaining protesters to leave.
Earlier in the day, security agents had limited the protest to the designated area at Gani Fawehinmi Park, with protesters complying and staying within the boundaries set by authorities.
In previous days, the police had responded to protests with tear gas, a tactic that has drawn criticism from civil society organizations.
The continued presence of security forces at the park highlights the ongoing tensions and the authorities’ efforts to maintain order amidst the demonstrations.
