In a shocking turn of events, the ongoing hunger protest in Lagos took a dark and violent turn on Sunday, August 4, as hoodlums attacked peaceful demonstrators at Gani Fawehinmi Park in Ojota, Lagos.
The protesters, who had gathered to express their dissatisfaction with President Bola Tinubu’s address to the nation, were met with brute force, leaving many fleeing for safety.
The chaos erupted at 11:30 am when the hoodlums arrived at the protest scene, forcing the demonstrators to scatter.
The police, who had earlier barred the protesters from holding a procession beyond the designated ground, swiftly occupied the area, attempting to restore order.
The nationwide protests, which entered their fourth day on Sunday, have been marked by tension and clashes between protesters and security agents.
Despite President Tinubu’s call for the suspension of the protest, citing that he had heard their demands “loud and clear” and outlining his administration’s efforts to curb poverty, the demonstrators remained resolute in their demands for change.
READ MORE: Military In Nigeria Urges Local, International Media To Cease Coverage Of Protests
The protesters had converged on the park, chanting solidarity songs and expressing their discontent with the government’s response to their concerns.
However, their peaceful assembly was short-lived, as the hoodlums’ sudden attack sent the crowd into disarray.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as “chaotic” and “terrifying,” with protesters running for their lives as the hoodlums unleashed terror.
The police, caught off guard, struggled to contain the situation, leading to a tense standoff.
The incident raises concerns about the safety and security of protesters exercising their constitutional rights.
As the protests continue, the government faces mounting pressure to address the grievances of the demonstrators and find a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
