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The planned Lagos mega rally by Yoruba nation agitators turned bloody yesterday as a 14-year-old girl was killed, apparently, by a stray bullet from the Nigeria Police, and many wounded while running helter-skelter to avoid being shot.
Despite much awareness created and threat by the Nigeria Police to quash it, the planned rally did hold but was quickly suppressed by the heavy police presence at the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota, a situation that led to a confrontation between the agitators and security agents.
The rally that was scheduled for 6am at the Freedom Park, Ojota Lagos on July 4, 2021, came alive as planned but Chief Sunday Igboho, the convener of Yoruba Nation, and Professor Banji Akintoye the convener of Ilana Omo Odua were absent at the protest.
A reliable source said, “It was obvious that the Nigeria Police who had declared Chief Sunday Igboho wanted were also on the lookout for his staunch supporters, though many of them were there, especially close associates that came in disguise. Many that were spotted at the scene had one form of dressing or the other, to conceal their look from informants or security personnel that might give them out.
At the Lagos mega rally in Ojota, a lot of people including members of the Oodua People’s Congress, traditionalist groups, students, market men and women, transporters, and many more gathered in groups with placards, banners, megaphones, and many more.
It could be recalled that barely 24 hours before it was due to commence, the police denied the planners a permit. The police claimed the timing of the rally was wrong, as the state was still in pain following the huge destruction suffered during the last #EndSARS protests.
Meanwhile, a girl, a yoghurt seller simply identified as Jumoke, was said to be running following gunshots by the police to disperse the protesters, when she was hit by a stray bullet from the back. It was gathered that the girl was not part of the protest and efforts to speak to a man, who said he was the father of the girl, failed, as he declined to speak to the press.
The Yoruba activist, Sunday Igboho, did not come to the rally due to the refusal of the police to grant the marchers a permit, but some of his foot soldiers did but in disguise.
Despite the unfavourable disposition of the Nigeria Police to the agitation for Oduduwa Republic, protesters in Lagos and others from outside the state were able to gather at Ojota for the rally, dressed in traditional attires, with some decorated with charms. They voiced their position and declared they were tired of the Nigerian Union.
The protesters, who initially appeared to be nowhere near the venue of the rally, Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, suddenly started gathering close to the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Hakeem Odumosu, as he addressed newsmen on reasons the state government was opposed to the rally.
Our checks revealed that policemen and soldiers were drafted to the venue of the rally on Friday night, and there was reinforcement Saturday morning. Over 25 trucks belonging to the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, and members of the Lagos State security outfit, Rapid Response Service (RRS) were seen stationed at the park and around it.
Policemen and soldiers stood at strategic positions, cuddling their guns as the service lane from Ketu to Ojota was cordoned off to prevent people from coming close to the venue.
At Berger Bus Stop, policemen embarked on a stop and search exercise, even as operatives of the joint military patrol, Operation MESA, were drafted to patrol Berger, Ojota, Maryland, Ikeja, and parts of Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway, an exercise that created a heavy gridlock on the road.
Some of the protesters, who spoke with newsmen, complained about the high level of insecurity and injustice in the country, saying they are tired and ready to leave Nigeria for Oduduwa Republic.
One of the agitators, Mr. Taiwo Abiodun Obanla, who rolled on the ground in frustration as he spoke, said, “We are not going home, we want Yoruba Nation, we are no more Nigerians. We don’t want Nigeria, we are suffering, we don’t want to die.”
A leader of the rally, simply identified as Opeoluwa, and another staunch Oodua Republic agitator, Adewale Salami with the support of Osun worshippers to the march, were seen approaching some police officers at the venue with a letter to the Inspector-General, Baba Alkali, as he appealed to them to cooperate with the protesters and let them hold their peaceful rally. Opeoluwa said the protesters were men and women of peace.
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He said, “I have a letter for the IG. We don’t have anything against the police, we don’t have anything against the army, we don’t have anything against the security agencies. We want you to protect us.
“We want to hold a peaceful rally. We are for peace; we are men and women of peace. Please, cooperate with us; we are not here to fight you.”
Police used water cannons and fired gunshots to try to disperse the protesters
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