Several #RevolutionNow protesters were arrested by the police and the Nigerian Army in the Abuja metropolis on Wednesday.
The protesters carrying placards and banners had set out as early as 8 am to demand good governance.
Some of the banners read, ‘Nigerians are sick and tired of poverty, corruption, injustice and untimely death’; ‘Say no to injustice’, ‘Yes to living wage for unemployed youths’.
The protesters, many of whom wore orange berets, converged on the Unity Fountain, Shehu Shagari Way, Maitama, and were about to begin their procession when policemen stormed the venue and dispersed them.
Soldiers and other security operatives also cordoned off adjoining streets including Aguiyi Ironsi Street to prevent the protesters from marching.
Human rights lawyer, Tope Akinyode, said he witnessed security agents beating protesters for no just cause.
Akinyode said, “They arrested about 29 of our people. Security officials made them to lie down and beat them. Even as a lawyer I was harassed. They pushed me around. This is very undemocratic.”
It was learnt that the protests are ongoing in other states, including Lagos. The protesters in Osogbo were also arrested by members of the Nigeria Police Force.
The leader of the group, Omoyele Sowore, who is a former Presidential candidate, was detained last year for about three months while court orders for his release were ignored.
He was eventually released following pressure from the international community and human rights organisations. Several protesters who were arraigned in court won their cases.
Se a few scenes from the protests below:
#RevolutionNow protesters around Computer Village and Under Bridge, Ikeja, Lagos.#RevolutionNow #August5thProtest #ConcourseNews pic.twitter.com/bm9lbbRvja
— Concourse News (@ConcourseNews) August 5, 2020
#RevolutionNow protesters subjected to inhumane treatments by security operatives.
Is this right action to take by a government elected by the people and for the people when the people who elected them feel government isn’t doing right by them?#RevolutionNow #ConcourseNews pic.twitter.com/IdJQd4Jm7i
— Concourse News (@ConcourseNews) August 5, 2020
PUNCH/Twitter/247NNU