Economic hardship: Lagos residents protest despite police warning

Despite warnings issued by the Lagos State Police Commissioner, protesters on Monday hit the streets of Lagos to protest the soaring prices of food items and the high cost of living in the country.

The protesters, a human rights group identified as the “Take It Back Movement,” were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions at Ojuelegba under the bridge to express their grievances about the current economic situation.

Also joining the protest were members of other civil society organizations such as the Joint Action Front and the Coalition for Revolution.

Police officers in their vans and officers of the Lagos Neighbourhood Safety Corps were seen accompanying the protesters.

Persecondnews recalls that Police Commissioner Adegoke Fayoade had warned residents of the state against grounding economic activities ahead of the planned protest by the organized labour.

He said the command will not tolerate the disruption of commercial activities during the planned protest in the state.

Fayoade’s warning, which was contained in a statement on Sunday by Lagos police spokesman, DSP Benjamin Hundeyin, urged intending protesters not to violate the rights of others while carrying out their protest for any reason.

The statement read: “The command will live up to its mandate of ensuring that no person or group of persons is allowed to infringe on the fundamental human rights of others, especially the rights to freedom of movement and the right to dignity of human persons.

“CP Fayoade, therefore, warns all intending protesters that anyone found infringing on the rights of other Nigerians will be dealt with in accordance with the law.”