By Oluwuatosin Adeyemi
The well-known Eagle Square in Abuja, the location of the #EndBadGovernance demonstration that is set to take place in the Federal Capital Territory and other major cities on Thursday, was besieged by soldiers, police officers, and other security personnel on Tuesday.
Over 300 security personnel were tallied by our correspondents in the square at the venue.In addition, there were 12 police patrol cars, 26 military vans, and a Black Maria positioned inside and outside the arena.
Along the stretch of Airport Road, security personnel were also seen near the National Assembly, on Abuja-Mararaba Road, and at each significant pedestrian bridge.When the protest leaders and Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, couldn’t agree on how to organise the event, the security forces occupied the square.
In a video conference with the Inspector General on Tuesday, the group turned down the police plan for restricted protests.For the sake of public safety, Egbetokun has suggested that the protests be contained to specific locations.
However, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, the demonstration leaders’ attorney, turned down the proposal.Femi Falana, SAN, a human rights attorney, as well as important figures from the Take It Back Movement and other civil society organisations, attended the conference.After the meeting, Adegboruwa spoke with the press and stated that the protesters’ restriction to a specific area was the point of contention. He added that because it went against their fundamental rights, the organisers were in disagreement.
“We agreed that the police would not do anything that would hinder or jeopardise the exercise of the right to protest by the citizens of Nigeria,” stated Adegboruwa. We all agreed on that essential point. We also decided that if citizens protest, police are required by law to provide them with protection.
“The confined area was our point of contention. According to the venue that was supplied to them, the police would rather that we protest in a small arena. We argued that we were entitled to organise a demonstration and start a march. They claimed they lacked the workforce necessary to cover every city.
The organisers of the demonstration insisted on holding it in spite of pressure from the Federal Government, traditional rulers, and other notable Nigerians. On Tuesday, the Armed Forces took control of Eagle Square.Our correspondents’ checks in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) found increased surveillance patrols by the police, Nigeria Security, Civil Defence Corps, Guards Brigade, and other security agencies.In a display of force, a combined police and military detachment was observed policing Gwagwalada’s main thoroughfares.
Human rights attorney Deji Adeyanju, who was offended by the military deployment, pleaded with Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, to remove the soldiers who were stationed in the Federal Capital Territory and other areas before the planned handship protest.
