#RevolutionNow Protest: Security agents barricade National Stadium, Lagos

PIC.-11.-POLICE-BARRICADE-VENUE-OF-PDP-NATIONAL-CONVENTION-IN-PORT-HARCOURT

PIC. 11. THE ANTI-TERRORISM SQUAD FROM THE POLICE BASE 3 IN RIVERS AND DSS OPERATIVES BARRICADING THE ACCESS TO THE SHARKS STADIUM, VENUE OF THE PDP NATIONAL CONVENTION IN PORT HARCOURT ON WEDNESDAY (17/8/16). IT WOULD BE RECALLED THAT THE FEDERAL HIGH COURT SITTING IN PORT HARCOURT IN A JUDGMENT ON TUESDAY RULED THAT POLICE AND DSS SHOULD PROVIDE SECURITY FOR THE NATIONAL CONVENTION. THE COURT ALSO DECLARED THAT ITS JUDGMENT OF 4TH JULY, 2016 VALIDATING THE NATIONAL CARETAKER COMMITTEE OF THE PEOPLES DEMOCRATIC PARTY REMAINS VALID AND SUBSISTING UNTIL VACATED BY THE COURT OF APPEAL. HOWEVER, JUSTICE OKON ABANG OF ANOTHER HIGH COURT GAVE A RULING TUESDAY EVENING IN ABUJA STOPPING THE CONVENTION BUT LAWYERS EMPHASISED THAT A RULING IS LESS EFFECTIVE THAN A JUDGMENT. 5762/17/8/2016/OCC/BJO/NAN

Heavily armed security operatives from the Police Command in Lagos, the Army and NSCDC have barricaded entrance to the National Stadium, Surulere ahead of the #RevolutionNow protest spearheaded by Omoyele Sowore on Monday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Sowore, the Presidential candidate of African Action Congress (AAC) in the last general elections, was on Saturday was arrested by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) from his home.

NAN reports that police patrol vehicles, including that of the Rapid Respond Squad (RRS), numbering more than 20, Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC), anti-riot operatives, Civil defence men and military joint Taskforce operatives OP MESSA, were stationed at the two main entrance to the stadium.

As at 8.40 a.m few protesters, wearing orange caps, have started to converge under the stadium bridge, displaying neither banner nor placards,

NAN further observed that the security operatives prevented employees of National Stadium, Students of National Institute for Sports (NIS) and members of the public whom had come to train, from gaining acccess into the stadium.

A source told NAN reporters to leave the area as at 8.50 a.m. because the operatives were ready to tear-gas the protesters any moment.

The Area Commander, Area C, ACP Tijani Fatai, told NAN that the operatives were on ground to stop any form of protests at the stadium.

Fatai explained that they were not there to give security cover to protesters and advised the crowd already gathering in front of the National Stadium gate to stay away.

The DCP, Operations in Lagos State command, Mr Mohammed Ali, told NAN in a telephone conversation, that the protesters failed to obtain the necessary permit to carry out the planned protest.

“Their planned protest is unlawful. They did not obtain permission for the protest. If they say they have the permission, let them show it.

“Any one that foment trouble will be dealt with according to law,“ Ali said.(NAN)

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