Forrmer Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has condemned the massive deployment of security forces against peaceful protesters demanding justice for victims of the #LekkiTollgateMassacre perpetrated by soldiers last year on the orders of government.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, February 13, he urged the youths not to be intimidated by what he described as “the move by President Muhammadu Buhari, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, to suppress their planned protest to demand for justice.”
Frank stated, “This massive deployment of security forces who are now unleashing terror against protesters at the Lekki Tollgate is a shame to Buhari, Sanwo-Olu and IGP Adamu – who are out to protect the business interests of their cronies and benefactors.
“We have seen policemen brutalising, arresting and suppressing innocent youths exercising their rights and this is unacceptable.
He urged IGP Adamu to immediately recall anti-riot policemen deployed to the Lekki Tollgate and avoid being used against Nigerian youths by politicians who are out to protect their private businesses.
Going further, he warned the IGP not to act like the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, who he accused of abusing his office for personal gains and to satisfy his political godfathers.
“IGP Adamu and the police hierarchy will be held accountable should anything untoward happen to the protesters”, Frank warned.
He wondered how “the Federal and Lagos State Governments could mobilise so much policemen to stop peaceful protesters yet, cannot deploy troops to the nation’s forests to protect poor farmers and innocent Nigerians from bandits and insurgents who daily kill, maim and kidnap them for ransom,” and accused “Buhari and Sanwo-Olu of insensitivity and impunity over their move to stop peaceful youths who are exercising their constitutional rights to demand for justice.”
Frank stated, “Buhari and Sanwo-Olu are using the police for selfish gain and to protect the business investments of their political cronies.
“This is a shame on the part of the Nigeria Police Force and the Buhari administration.
“I call on the Inspector General of Police whose tenure was recently unjustly extended not to see this #OccupyLekkiTollGate as a payback time to demonstrate his loyalty and thankfulness to the powers by using policemen to brutally attack peaceful protesters making genuine demand on their elected leaders.
“The intimidation and oppression against peaceful youths exercising their right to peaceful protests will not work this time as the people deserve the right to call out their elected leaders whenever they feel inclined to do so.
“Despite this harassment, arrests, intimidation and oppression by the police , I urge Nigerians not to be intimidated by this show of force but to come out and exercise their rights as citizens.
“I also want to apprise our youths that like-minds in the Diaspora are currently brainstorming in Washington DC, over the likely outcome from the ongoing #OccupyLekkiTollGate protests and the unfortunate action of the authorities.
“Be assured that those who took part in killings at the #LekkiTollGateMassacre and those presently committing crimes against protesters will not go unpunished as they will definitely have they day at the International Criminal Court (ICC).
“I urge Nigerians to remain steadfast and continue with the peaceful protests to demand justice for #LekkiTollgateMassacre.”