Nigeria at 60: Protesters storm Lagos, Osogbo as country celebrates anniversary

*30 arrested in Lagos, 10 in Osogbo as security operatives ‘crack down’ on protesters

A HORDE of protesters today poured into the streets of Lagos to register their displeasure against “poor and bad governance” in Nigeria.

Naija Times gathered that these protesters poured into the streets particularly Ojota to Maryland in Lagos.

Armed with placards with various inscriptions that speak to the current economic and political situations of the country, they kept chanting songs of solidarity.

It was gathered that no fewer than 30 protesters have been arrested by security operatives.

The Coalition for Revolution codenamed #RevolutionNow had in a statement before the protest called on President Buhari to resign as the ship of state has gone adrift under his watch.

The statement read in part, “The Coalition for Revolution is calling on all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to come out en masse on, October 1, and participate in a massive peaceful protest to demand the reversal of anti-people policies implemented by the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

“These harsh policies that have bored a burdensome hole into the pockets of the Nigerian people are coming at a time when citizens are recovering from the adverse effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, a global health crisis that was also mismanaged by the Buhari government, plunging already struggling citizens into deeper financial problems.

“It also comes at a time when there is an unprecedented dictatorial-style crackdown on free speech, dissent, activism, journalism and the right to associate and congregate peacefully and protest.”

In a similar vein, Naija Times correspondent in Osogbo reported that the ancient city was rocked by protest for hours until a combined security team of the Department of State Security and Nigeria Police disrupted protest against hardship, organised by Coalition for Revolution in Osogbo.

As early as 8am, the security personnel had taken over the Nelson Mandela Freedom Park where the protesters were billed to converge.

However, the protesters despite the heavy presence of security personnel met at the venue and moved round the Old Garage roundabout before they were forcefully dispersed.

About 10 of them were arrested while two were brutalised in an attempt to take them away.

The protesters, before they were dispersed were shouting Education must be free and Nigeria must be free of corruption.