The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has reportedly arrested over five protesters in Abuja, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed by one of the protesters, who is also a journalist and a victim of the arrest.
The freelance journalist, identified as Ayoola Babalola, made this known when he posted on his whatsapp status on Saturday, a few moments after security operatives suspected to be men of the Department of State Services shot at protesters and journalists at the stadium.
He claimed that he was apprehended alongside six others, including one Samuel Victor.
This arrest is coming as protesters seeking an “End to Bad Governance” and economic hardship in Nigeria trooped to the MKO Abiola National Stadium in Abuja on the third day of the nationwide protests which began on Thursday.
“I’ve been arrested, comrades. I’m being held at Wuye Police Station. We are standing our ground and not releasing our devices, they are taking our phones and taking us to the cell now,” his post read.
Earlier on, he recounted how he, alongside other journalists, narrowly escaped gunshots fired by the operatives.
The FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, when contacted, stated that she was making efforts to get Babalola and others released.
“I’m only aware of two of them, not seven, and I’m making efforts on their release. I’m looking for the journalist, Ayoola Babalola,” she stated.
The nationwide planned protest commenced on Thursday, August 1 2024, and is expected to last until August 10.
Nigerians across the country have joined in the protest, trooping out in their numbers everyday to drive home their demands to the government.
