The Lagos State chapter of the Take-It-Back (TIB) Movement has accused suspected political thugs linked to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) of violently disrupting its August 5 “Festival of the Oppressed” protest in Lagos, alleging that demonstrators were hunted, intimidated and forced to flee before the procession could even begin.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Lagos State Coordinator of the movement, Adekunle Adeyemi Taofeek, the group alleged that armed men descended on protesters gathered at Maryland, the designated convergence point for the demonstration, while security operatives maintained a heavy presence in the area.
The protest, which was scheduled to march peacefully from Maryland to Ojota, was reportedly aborted after the alleged attack scattered participants.
Taofeek said he arrived at the venue later than expected due to heavy traffic but was met with an atmosphere of fear and intimidation, claiming that police officers and individuals allegedly dressed in APC and NURTW-related attire were combing the streets in search of protesters.
According to him, he was compelled to remove a T-shirt bearing the inscription, “TINUBU MUST GO,” after observing what he described as an overwhelming deployment of police officers and people wearing “Renewed Hope” apparel featuring President Bola Tinubu’s image.
“For security reasons, I had to remove the shirt because of the heavy presence of police officers and men wearing ‘Renewed Hope’ clothing bearing President Bola Tinubu’s image,” Taofeek stated.
He explained that he was accompanied by three fellow activists and that they deliberately avoided attracting attention as they navigated the area. At one point, they reportedly took refuge inside a nearby shop, purchasing drinks while suspected thugs allegedly monitored their movements outside.
Taofeek further claimed that they later encountered about 20 protesters who had fled the protest ground after the alleged attack. Concerned for their safety, he said he advised them to immediately leave the area, insisting that the streets around Maryland had become saturated with individuals allegedly searching for demonstrators.
The activist also alleged that he observed a white vehicle stationed near the Maryland Roundabout, surrounded by police officers. According to him, a man seated inside the vehicle wore a white-and-green cap bearing the inscription “NURTW,” while what appeared to be a pump-action firearm was visible beside him.
Fearing for their lives, Taofeek said he and the three activists eventually escaped the area aboard a commercial tricycle and relocated to Anthony.
Condemning the incident, the Take-It-Back Movement described the alleged attack as a direct assault on citizens’ constitutional rights to peaceful assembly, freedom of expression and democratic participation.
The organisation argued that no Nigerian should be forced to remove protest clothing, hide in shops or flee for safety simply for demanding accountability, improved governance and economic justice.
The movement also expressed concern over the alleged presence of individuals associated with the APC and NURTW around the protest venue alongside security personnel.
“If citizens who came peacefully to demand better governance can be hunted through the streets before a protest even begins, then we must ask ourselves what kind of democracy we are building,” the statement read.
The group maintained that those participating in the protest were ordinary Nigerians burdened by worsening economic hardship, rising insecurity, unemployment and what it described as poor governance.
It called on the Lagos State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a thorough investigation into the alleged attack, identify those responsible for intimidating peaceful protesters and guarantee the constitutional rights of citizens to assemble without fear.
While lamenting the disruption of the protest, the movement insisted that the issues driving citizens to the streets remain unresolved.
“The Festival of the Oppressed may have been disrupted today, but the grievances that brought Nigerians to the streets remain unresolved.Ā»
“We demand good governance. We demand accountability. We demand justice. The struggle continues.”Ā»