Otodo-Gbame: Police Arrest 164 Lagos Residents Over Protest
No fewer than 164 displaced residents of Otode-Gbame community, Lekki, who came to protest in the office of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s office located in Alausa , Ikeja area of the state have been arrested by Nigerian police.
It was learnt that amongst the 164 residents arrested at about 12 AM were pregnant woman and five other female protesters while passing the night at the entrance gate of the Lagos State House, Ikeja.
The protesters had indicated their intention to occupy the office of the governor if their demands were not approved, after barricading the entrance to the governor’s office earlier on Wednesday.
The 164 were among the about 600 displaced residents, which include women and children, who marched to the office of the state governor to demand that they are resettled months after their community was pulled down by the government.
They were among the over 30, 000 residents of the community that were allegedly displaced after structures in their community were demolished.
One of the residents Emmanuel Mustapha, who escaped the arrest said after the protest, they decided to pass the night at the governor’s office since they had no roof over their heads.
He said they had hoped that their presence would aid compel the governor to fulfill promises made earlier but lamented that at about 12 am, the police stormed the premises after switching off the streetlights and swooped on them.
He hinted that the police allegedly shot in the air, beat the women and arrested the men from the scene.
Another resident, Bombo Oshobe said the protesters have been detained at the Crime Investigation Department (CID), Panti, Yaba, Lagos.
Osobe noted that efforts to bail them proved abortive as they were told it is only the Commissioner of police, Imohimi Edgar that can order their release.
Confirming their arrest, Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Olarinde Famous-Cole said the police arrested 158 residents for constitution security threat to the seat of power.
Famous –Cole, “They were disturbing the peace of the area, the governor’s office. Though, we understand that they are demanding for something from the government. We had pacified them to leave but they did not leave.
“When we discovered that they are beginning to constitute security threat to the axis, we decided to disperse them. It was during that process that 158 suspects were arrested.”
