Police, DSS shoot at #EndBadGovernance protesters, journalists in Abuja
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The police and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) on Saturday opened fire at #EndBadGovernance protesters at the Moshood Abiola Stadium in Abuja.
The protesters who returned to the venue after initially shunning the place for street procession on day one and day two, had assembled with flags and placards.
But the policemen and DSS operatives on ground at the stadium fired at the protesters.
Some of the protesters ran into their vehicles and fled.
A car belonging to a Premium Times reporter was shot at while in motion.
The forceful dispersal of the protesters who gathered at the Moshood Abiola National Stadium by security operatives using bullets and teargas was despite a court order that restricted the demonstration to the stadium premises.
The protesters, who were exercising their right to freedom of assembly, were met with teargas, bullets and intimidation by security personnel.
The sudden crackdown left many demonstrators feeling frustrated and disappointed.
“We just wanted to make our voices heard, but they wouldn’t let us,” said Evelyn, a protester who was present at the scene told Vanguard reporter.
“It’s like they’re trying to silence us, but we won’t be quiet.”
Another protester, Tunde Oyedele, added, “We’re not troublemakers; we just want change. But every time we try to speak out, they shut us down. It’s like our voices don’t matter.”
Moments earlier, the protesters had engaged in a congress, allowing protesters of different ethnicities and tribe to air grievances and make demands on the government.
However, policemen fired teargas at the protesters, who on sighting them, sat on the floor, singing solidarity songs.