Socialist Party of Nigeria, SPN, has condemned the brutalisation, arrest and detention of RevolutionNow protesters and journalists in different parts of the country on Thursday.
This is as it also called for their release with immediate effect.
Thursday was the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence.
In Lagos, about 30 protesters were arrested and a Punch Newspaper reporter brutalized.
The SPN demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all protesters across the country.
Said SPN in a statement signed by its Acting National Chairman, Abiodun Bamigboye, and National Secretary, Chinedu Bosah.
The statement reads in a part: “We support the demands of the protesters against the increase in fuel price and electricity tariff as well as the general hardship in the country.
“Hakeem Odumosu, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police and other police officers and Department of State Service (DSS) operatives across the country have reconfirmed their attack dog status by attacking peaceful protesters in Lagos.
“We would recall that the antecedents of Hakeem Odumosu as the head of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) for several years before he was appointed the Commissioner of Police was characterized by violations of the rights of Nigerians.
“These attacks against peaceful protest and freedom of speech are also being carried out by the police across the federation. It should be clear to many that the Police and the Military are structured to protect the interest of a privileged few at the expense of the vast majority.
“We also recall that the Police also attacked the protest led by the Socialist Party of Nigeria (SPN) on September 10, 2020, wherein 14 protesters and 4 journalists were arrested and detained. Police repeated the same brutality on September 16, 2020, in a protest led by Joint Action Front (JAF).
The Buhari-led government just like the previous civilian governments has taken Nigeria back to the inglorious jackboot military era wherein the fundamental human rights of Nigerians are willfully and brazenly attacked.
“The Buhari-led government and Nigeria Police blatantly violate Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution (Fundamental Human Rights of Section 33-43) through its policies and actions.
“The fundamental human rights of Nigerians to freedom of speech, freedom to protest, freedom of assembly etc., are inalienable rights.”
