The police have justified the teargas fired at RevolutionNow protesters who gathered in front of the National Stadium in Surulere, Lagos, on Monday.
An Assistant Commissioner of Police in Lagos, Tijani Fatai, told journalists after the protesters were dispersed that the group did not seek permission of the place from the police before gathering and therefore described their protest as unlawful.
“Their gathering is unlawful and an unlawful gathering is supposed to be discharged. We had to dislodge them because they have no permit,” Mr Fatai said.
Armed security operatives rained teargas when the protesters started chanting solidarity songs and calling for the release of the convener of RevolutionNow movement, Omoyele Sowore.
Protesters began converging at the stadium as early as 7 am on Monday.
They, however, met a team of security agents known as Operation MESA or OP MESA made up of the Army, the Navy and the Air Force. They were also joined by police officers.
